Romances I Read This Week
Alright alright alright fam. We’re back again with another instalment of Swoony Sundays or what I read in romance this week. I’ve had an alright week, didn’t get through as much as I was hoping to, HOWEVER I still read some good ones. I’m also still heavily in my hist-rom era and read another 3 this week. There is just something unmatched about all the longing, pining, and romance found in historicals.
Anyways, here we go…
Just My Type by Tara Sivec (Free with KU)
Ah this epistolary romance from Tara Sivec was a surprise and heart squeezing DELIGHT. I haven’t read Sivec since burning through her Summersweet Island series last year. And damn it’s been TOO long. Tara’s rom-coms are always a perfect mix of genuinely funny (albeit a little over the top) with steamy scenes that keep things moving along at a lightning quick pace. I liked this one and the connection between Baker and Ember felt real. I thought there were a few moments (the otter pool, uh GROSS) that were even to much for me, but overall this is a fun fast read that lots of folks will enjoy.
Say It’s Forever by A.L. Jackson (Free with KU)
Listen, not every “dark romance” is going to slap okay. Annnd… unfortunately I seem to be in the minority (based on a quick spin through Goodreads). I think the story itself was alright, the core romance was not fully believable and the writing style was WAY too over wrought. The dramatics. The line breaks. The use of enchantress. Not for me.
Bet on It by Jodie Slaughter (eARC)
Oh this was a DELIGHT. I was so excited to get approved for this ARC, and fell almost instantly in love with Walker and Aja. This was a real lovely story of two folks who are struggling in their own ways, to find structure, safety and belonging. I hope folks take a chance on this book, and give a Aja and Walker a moment to worm their ways into your heart! Want more? Full review can be found here.
Lord Holt Takes a Bride by Vivienne Lorret
In early 2022, I saw a $1.99 historical romance by Lorret called The Wrong Marquess, I DEVOURED it and loved it so much, but realized I had jumped the queue right into the 3rd book of her Mating Habits of Scoundrels series. Well Lord Holt Takes a bride is book 1, and LORD was it fun. This smacks of A Week to be Wicked in the best way and I thoroughly enjoyed Asher and Winn and their many wet adventures. Was it perfect, no however I did enjoy the heck out of their journey and happily ever after.
Ravished by Amanda Quick
Ravished pops up frequently on places like r/romancebooks when folks talk about their favourite romances. This is a historical romance retelling of beauty and the beast. With Gideon who has been treated absolutely horribly by the ton (and his own parents) and Harriet who LITERALLY just wants to find fossils and be left alone. These two are actually quite sweet and it was very lovely to see Harriet defend the shit out of Gideon at every turn. I did feel like there were a few moments that kind of stalled and some of the convos felt cyclical BUT it was very sweet and the sparse use of “little one” really hit me in the feels.
Cold-Hearted Rake by Lisa Kleypas
Y’all I LOVED Marrying Winterborne, and consider it one of the most romantic historicals out there. And this is where Rhys and Helen first meet, in Devon and Kathleen’s story. I don’t know, I kinda felt like she had MUCH more chemistry with West? Devon throughout the entire book is kind of just an asshole who goes through some transformation but not enough to fully redeem him or how he’s treated Kathleen. I loved seeing West legitimately transform and find his purpose, the twins and their genuine wackiness (e.g. odorwhelming) and poor sweet Helen trying to not bore Rhys. Look, I love Kleypas and her I consider her romance hero’s are some of the swooniest to “walk” the earth, but Devon is prob one of my least favorites. Which says a lot.