The Weekly Recap
Y’all we have GOT to stop meeting like this. JK, please don’t leave me! I had another decent week of reads, I do feel like the last two weeks have been full of a tremendous level of stress and nonsense, which made FOCUSING on what I was reading a freaking challenge, my god. Now that I am no longer having to be in that environment I can’t wait to not be so, frustrated with myself, when I just want to read a book without my brain being my inner saboteur.
Those Three Words by Alexis Winter (Free with KU)
This is trope-y goodness. A boss, employee, single dad age gap romance that, you know what, WAS enjoyable. Has this been done elsewhere? Sure. Was I able to lose myself for a few hours? You know it. Some of the external drama was a little eye-roll inducing, but the kid was adorable, the relationship between Graham and Margot was tension-filled, with moments of genuine sweetness and light BDSM hotness.
Savage Daddy by Laylah Roberts (Free with KU)
Okay, as mentioned I have been struggling with my focus, and I needed something that I could really just lose myself in, Laylah’s books while deeply in the Kink and DdLg genre there is something about these books that are quick, steamy and something that my brain really attaches itself to. These books aren’t for everyone, and that’s cool! Read what you love, don’t yuck people’s yum!
Filthy Rich by Serena Akeroyd (Free with KU)
This popped up on a r/RomanceBooks thread on MMC’s who meet their FMC on their wedding day, and y’all this was another really enjoyable mafia romance. I have never read anything by Serena before, so I really walked into this one not knowing what to expect. Like most mafia romances, the women are generally victims of some pretty horrendous treatment, and our gal Inessa, unfortunately comes to meet her betrothed after a BRUTAL beating courtesy of her father. Eoghan is a lot older, and like IMMEDIATELY murderously enraged that anyone would touch something that belongs to him, which look IRL this is capital P, problematic, but in a romance book this shit is my CATNIP.
Nine Rules To Break When Romancing A Rake by Sarah MacLean
I have had this book on my TBR (in both physical and digital formats) for a while. And after reading this, I had to kick myself a bit for waiting as long as I did. Callie and Ralston are REALLY, really special. I loved the banter, and adventures, the forced proximity and the longing. There is something truly delightful about a headstrong woman, and the man who is helping facilitating all these shenanigans, with high levels of exasperation. Was it perfect? No. I wanted more grovel, but we don’t always get what we want. But it was very close to perfect. Very, very close.
Her Wicked Marquess by Stacy Reid
I read my first Stacy Reid earlier this year, in the Big Duke Energy Anthology ARC I reviewed. And fell in love with her writing style and how deeply romantic her prose, stories and characters are. And my goodness, was this book something magical. Maryann, and Nicholas first meet when she’s trying to exact some revenge on a particularly evil diamond of the ton. What Maryann does not know, is that Nicolas is also on his own revenge journey, motivated by some just tragic back story that will really hit your hearts. From that first meeting Nicolas and Maryann fall slowly in love through moments both deeply romantic, funny and sweet. I LOVED this book and the journey it will take you on will stay with you for awhile.
My Darling Duke by Stacy Reid
I started down a Stacy Reid path this week and couldn’t stop myself from backtracking to the first in her sinful wallflowers series. Where Nicolas and Maryann were really just a delight to read, I didn’t love Alexander and Kitty as much. I did enjoy them, for sure but in reading N&M’s book first, these two had a lot to live up to. While it had all the hallmarks of what I did love about Her Wicked Marquess: the soul mate connection, the romance and the love, I didn’t love the 3rd act breakup, and resulting makeup. I just wanted a little more. Still good though.
Day of the Duchess by Sarah MacLean
Oof, y’all this book. Where to begin. We first meet Malcom and Seraphina in Sophie’s book when she comes upon Malcom CHEATING on his wife, and gets dumped on his ass (rightfully so). And when I heard there was a book for these two, I was HESITANT to give his a shot. Cheating to me in life AND romance really feels like a non-negotiable, but I will say, Sarah absolutely redeems Malcom. Be warned though, the tension, pining and longing in this book will give you a tummy ache (speaking from experience). I loved this one, it was sweet, and sad. It was romantic, and funny. And my goodness, Caleb and Sesily’s book is going to be scorching, if their limited moments were anything to go off of.