Book review: THE BOYFRIEND ALGORITHM, by Kendall Ryan

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

It’s not just that this story was funny. It was also cute, tender, beautiful, and, at times, surprisingly emotional.

Ruby is a character who seems to exist in a constant state of frazzled. She’s spent so much time feeling like she’s less than, never quite enough, that it takes a synthetic man to help her see that she’s already perfect and so much more than she gives herself credit for.

Ruby has been making herself smaller so her ex-boyfriend could feel bigger. I hated that for her! And on that fateful day when she finds this sorta robot in her laundry room, wet, muddy, and naked, her life takes a turn for the better, and for the sublime.

I found Aiden completely adorable. His analytical observations, his factual yet perceptive view of the world, and the way Ruby opens that world up for him made him such a compelling character. Watching someone synthetic develop genuine feelings was magnificent.

One of my biggest awww moments came when Aiden saw a dog for the first time and immediately fell in love. From that moment on, he’s completely obsessed with dogs. It’s as if they speak to some inner processor buried deep within him, and the connection is immediate and undeniable.

I also loved Aiden’s absolute focus on Ruby. He accepts her chaotic circle of girlfriends without hesitation. He sits right in the middle of their group, lets them observe and discuss him, and willingly shares information about his processes and how he works. Those scenes were some of my favorites.

This was such a delightful book. I loved the questions it raises and the concerns it explores about what a happily-ever-after really looks like in this situation. The author doesn’t offer easy answers or neat solutions. Instead, she gives us the simple acceptance that Ruby loves, and is loved, with total and absolute devotion by a man who checks every box on the perfect-boyfriend checklist.

I was a little surprised that the book ended without any clear solutions, but honestly, that didn’t diminish my enjoyment. I loved the emotions, the humor, and all the wonderfully heartwarming moments along the way.

Purchase links

Kindle: https://link.amazon/B0haJjStL

Goodreads: https://geni.us/qizK5ZA

Audio: coming soon! Narrated by Jason Clarke & Stella Hunter

About the author

Kendall Ryan writes contemporary romance. Her books have been featured on the New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestsellers lists a combined total of more than 100 times. 

Connect with Kendall:

➜ WEBSITE www.kendallryanbooks.com

➜ NEWSLETTER www.kendallryanbooks.com/newsletter

➜ FACEBOOK www.facebook.com/kendallryanbooks

➜ INSTAGRAM www.instagram.com/kendallryan1

➜ TWITTER www.twitter.com/kendallryan1

Book review: THE LAST GOODBYE, by Laura Pavlov

Blue Sky Bay #2

Bass & Briar

⭐️⭐️⭐️

I tried very hard to connect with this book, but it just kept dragging for me. The writing was excellent, as always, and the characters were lovely, but the story never fully pulled me in or kept me riveted. I love the small-town trope and this group of friends, but perhaps the plot felt a little too low-key and lacked the momentum I was hoping for.

I also noticed several elements that felt very familiar from the author's previous series. Once again, we have a tight-knit group of friends who are more like siblings, a hilarious group chat full of banter and ridiculous nicknames, and a single father with an adorable child who is doted on by a whole crew of honorary uncles willing to step in for babysitting duty. It reminded me a lot of the earlier series when Cutter was the beloved little boy proudly calling himself "Beefcake." Even some of the children's dialogue and mannerisms felt similar. What I sorely missed, however, was the unforgettable Japanese toilet banter! I loved their nicknames for each other: “McGrumpy” and “Magpie”.

There was also the favorite diner, but this time the owners are a lovely couple, and the coffee shop, both centers of the gossip train, as is obligatory in small towns.

For me, the story didn't really come alive until around the 70% mark. That's when the conflict finally picked up and the emotional depth I had been waiting for started to emerge. From that point on, I was glued to my Kindle and flew through the rest of the book.

I usually love this author's books and rarely have trouble getting immersed in her stories, but this one just missed the mark for me. While there were plenty of things to enjoy, it never quite captured the magic of some of her previous releases.

Purchase links

Ebook: https://geni.us/tlgeb

Audiobook: https://geni.us/TLGAUDIO

Paperback: https://geni.us/TheLastGoodbyePB

FREE with #kindleunlimited

About the author

Laura Pavlov writes sweet and sexy contemporary romance that will make you both laugh and cry. She is happily married to her college sweetheart, mom to two awesome almost-grown kids, and dog-whisperer to one temperamental yorkie and one wild bernedoodle. Laura resides in Las Vegas where she is living her own happily ever after. Be sure to sign up for updates on new releases. Laura loves to hear from readers!

 

Connect with Laura

Website: https://www.laurapavlov.com/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6569734.Laura_Pavlov

Amazon: http://amzn.to/3c1xKZX

Facebook: http://bit.ly/3eSvEdp

Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/2OKU6T5

Instagram: https://bit.ly/2TKf5Zs

X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/laurapavlov2

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@laurapavlovauthor

Bookbub: http://bit.ly/3ii8Vdp

Book review: GOLD RUSH, by C.W. Farnsworth

The Kensingtons: Second Generation #4

Rory & Flynn

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

What a delicious book!  From the previous books, I just knew Rory and Flynn had a thing for each other. Like little kids in kindergarten, boys tease the little girls they like (Flynn), and girls are annoyed by the little boys they secretly like (Rory).  And everyone knows that Rory’s boyfriend is a douche-canoe, and their time together was coming up short.

So when this book starts, I’m all for it, because I know Rory and Flynn belong together.  When Flynn’s father denies him the trust fund he’s been dangling since college, Flynn decides to take action.  Since losing his friend Penn to a drug overdose during freshman year, he's dreamed of creating a foundation to help college students who are feeling lonely, isolated, and overwhelmed by the pressures of university life. But, he needs a lot more money than he already has. Unfortunately, his father's condition for releasing the trust fund is simple: get a girlfriend, get engaged, and settle down. So Flynn turns to Rory.

Rory is newly single after her boyfriend Carson was found in a scandalous situation and the video was seen far and wide.  She  accepts the fake engagement with Flynn, he moves into her apartment,  things start heating up and the bed starts hopping!

I knew Flynn has hidden depths, he’s known to be a nice guy despite his playboy fame, and this book shows them all up.  The fun part is that Rory starts to discover them, and we are all delighted.  Also, I knew Flynn has a thing for Rory and I loved that as Rory discovers his attributes (physical and personality) she starts to fall.

I love that the author gives us a hard time, with Rory’s second-guessing and Flynn’s insecurity about her, but Flynn shows devotion, he listens to her, he notices all her likes and habits, and he just shows up.  How can you resist a guy like that? Plus, they are opposites, Flynn is the life of the party, Rory the wallflower.  They complement each other perfectly!  It was a delightful read from start to finish, so of course, five stars.

Thanks to the author for such an entertaining and delicious book, and many thanks for not spending a gazillion pages on sex scenes, just showing a hint.  The book is all about the story and I love that.

Purchase links

https://amzn.to/4esK7hx

About the author

 C.W. Farnsworth is the author of numerous adult and young adult romance novels featuring sports, strong female leads, and happy endings.

Charlotte lives in Rhode Island and when she isn't writing spends her free time reading, at the beach, or snuggling with her Australian Shepherd.

 

Connect with Charlotte

Website: https://authorcwfarnsworth.com  

Goodreads: https://bit.ly/485RndP 

Amazon: https://amzn.to/4agSCsy 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cwfarnsworth/   

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/cwfarnsworthbooks   

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorcwfarnsworth/     

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@authorcwfarnsworth      

Book review: HALE BOUND, by Abbi Glines

Mississippi Smoke #11

Hale & Bay

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

When I reached the end and realized this book ended on a cliffhanger, I was actually relieved. There was no way this addictive, delicious story could end yet. It still needed more time to simmer.

Hale is a gorgeous, sexy, fifty-year-old man (thank you for the silver fox, Abbi Glines!), and I knew he couldn't fall without a little more resistance. His life is completely settled. His children are grown and independent, his company is thriving under the leadership of his sons, Ransom and Than, and he enjoys his work in the Southern Mafia under Linc's direction. Everything is exactly as it should be. Then along comes Bay and turns his perfectly ordered world upside down.

Bay is thirty-four and carrying the scars of a bad experience from years ago. To feel safe, she has built herself a carefully scheduled, predictable life. Hale takes her to emotional heights she never imagined, and while she's clearly falling for him, she still doesn't feel entirely secure. Then there is the small matter of his criminal activities, which understandably make her more than a little uneasy.

This story was delicious. It's the classic setup: man kidnaps woman, falls for her but struggles with it, while she finds herself falling for him and wondering if it's Stockholm syndrome. She calls herself crazy for lusting after her kidnapper, and honestly, it was all wildly entertaining. I loved being inside both of their heads as they tried to make sense of what they were feeling.

What I especially loved was how focused the story remained on Hale and Bay, with just enough involvement from Hale's children to enrich the story without overshadowing it.  I loved Slash, the supposedly guard dog, who melted like wax for Bay, and disgruntled Hale.  It was sweet, sexy, and surprisingly tender, without getting pulled too deeply into the darker, more violent side of this world. It felt like a refreshing interlude among the grittier installments in the series, and I thoroughly enjoyed the slower pace and the sweeter romance.

Now bring me the next book!

Purchase links

https://geni.us/halebound

About the author

Abbi Glines is a #1 New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of the Rosemary Beach, Sea Breeze, Vincent Boys, Field Party, and Existence series. She never cooks unless baking during the Christmas holiday counts. She believes in ghosts and has a habit of asking people if their house is haunted before she goes in it. She finally moved to New England into a home that is 200 + years old with it's own ghosts. She drinks afternoon tea because she wants to be British but alas she being born in Alabama, her life in New England is as close as she will get. When asked how many books she has written she has to stop and count on her fingers. When she’s not locked away writing, she is reading, and/or watching Netflix like the introvert that she is. 

You can connect with Abbi online in several different ways:

www.abbiglinesbooks.com

TikTok @abbiglines

Twitter: @abbiglines

Instagram: @abbiglines

Snapchat: abbiglines

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/abbiglinesauthor

Book review: LET’S BE REAL, by Julia Wolf

The Wells Brothers #3

Nate & Samantha

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

What a beautiful and intriguing story! Going into this book, I thought Nate was the serious, almost robotic Wells brother. I was so happy to finally get to know the real him. He’s kind, thoughtful, and impossible not to love.

Samantha and Nate were perfect for each other. Both carry old wounds, and I loved watching their relationship grow from friendship and family ties into something deeper. Nate listens to her rambling, Samantha sees the goodness in him, and together they bring out the best in each other.

What made this story stand out is that it’s not just a romance. Both characters struggle with deeply personal issues, and their journey is as much about healing as it is about falling in love. Nate’s battle with depression was especially moving and felt  heartbreaking at times.

I also loved the strong family element. The Wells brothers always show up for each other, most specially when it matters most, and seeing them rally around Nate during his darkest moments was incredibly emotional. 

This book put me through all the highs and lows, but I was fully invested because Nate and Samantha are such wonderful people. A heartfelt, emotional romance about love, healing, family, and finding the courage to let yourself be happy. Highly recommend. Five stars, of course! ❤️

Purchase links

https://mybook.to/LetsBeRealWB 

Available in KU

About the author

Julia Wolf writes sexy rockers, grumpy billionaires, snarky heroines, and bad ass women. She’s a firm believer in happily ever afters, no matter how rocky the road is to get there.

She doesn’t believe in “guilty pleasures”, only pleasure. Reading about a plus size woman who gets absolutely railed by a hot rock star is pleasure. Reading about a damaged college student whose flaws are valued and loved by the grumpy guy next door is pleasure. Reading about love in a small town or big city or on a tour bus is pleasure. Reading romance is pleasure!

Julia lives in Maryland with her husband and three crazy, beautiful children. When she’s not writing romance, she’s reading it. Some of her favorite things are, in no particular order: goats, books, coffee, and Target.

Connect with Julia Wolf:

https://www.instagram.com/authorjuliawolf/