Battle Of Bookstores.

 

 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

 

 4.5★

  

Despite managing bookstores on the same Boston street, Josie Klein and Ryan Lawson have never interacted much—Josie’s store focuses on serious literature, and Ryan’s sells romance only. But when the new owner of both stores decides to combine them, the two are thrust into direct competition. Only one manager will be left standing, decided by who turns the most profit over the summer. 

Efficient and detail-oriented Josie instantly clashes with easygoing and disorganized Ryan. Their competing events and contrasting styles lead to more than just frustration—the sparks between them might just set the whole store on fire. Their only solace during this chaos is the friendship they’ve each struck up with an anonymous friend in an online book forum. Little do they know they’re actually chatting with each other. 

As their rivalry heats up in real life, their online relationship grows, and when the walls between their stores come tumbling down, Josie and Ryan realize not all’s fair in love and war. And maybe, if they’re lucky, happily ever afters aren’t just for the books.

  🌷

 
Battle Of Bookstores has been on my reading list since Ali Brady announced on Instagram. It sounded like the type of book I enjoy reading. I love books that feature bookstores or talk about other book lovers. The Battle Of Bookstores became one of my favorite enemies-to-lovers stories; I loved the way that Josie and Ryan’s relationship changed through the book; it wasn’t too fast or too slow. I was curious whether they disliked one another or whether they acted that way because of an attraction between them. I found myself rooting for two of them to get together. 

This story gave me a big You’ve Got Mail, especially when Josie and Ryan were communicating with an anonymous friend on the BookFriends forum. I loved it when they discussed books; some of them that I have read and were just there for one another. I did wonder how long it would be until the truth came out. Part of me worried what would happen when the truth came out, though. I loved that both Josie and Ryan had bookstores, and if it were me, I couldn’t imagine losing mine. Part of me hoped that they could find a way to keep their bookstores. 

I loved both Josie and Ryan; if I were asked to pick a favorite, I think I would have a hard time deciding. I liked how everything was described through both Ryan and Josie’s eyes; I could see and feel it all while reading. It didn’t take me long to get into the story, and once I did, I didn’t want to put it down because I was eager to see what happened next. Battle Of Bookstores was my second book by Ali Brady, and I am eager to discover the others!

Anderson In Bloom.

 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

 

 Thank you to publisher,Avon and Harper Voyager, for providing with eARC via Netgalley, In exchange for honest review. All opinions are my own. 

 

03.03.26 

 

Former child star Anderson “Andy” Ducharme is hiding—has been for a long time, if she’s honest with herself, which she isn’t. 

When she suddenly cut off all ties and left LA six years earlier to work in a flower shop in coastal New England, she wasn’t just running away from toxic relationships, embezzling agents, and all the rest of her Hollywood life; she was running to something… sort of, if you squinted, and if you accepted that what she was running toward was little more than a vacation daydream she had made up with her (in)famous ex, and former costar, Nicole “Nikki” Price. 

Then Nikki announces her plan to write a tell-all book about growing up in Hollywood and their tumultuous time on the Nik and Andy show, and Andy’s feelings of hurt and betrayal come rushing back. Emboldened by anger (and maybe one too many drinks), Andy does something very she texts her ex for the first time in years. No one’s more shocked than Andy when Nikki actually shows up to her small florist shop, looking for answers. 

Andy is fully prepared to send Nikki away, but it seems Nikki has some unfinished business as well. Now that she finally knows where Andy’s been hiding, she’s not letting her go so easy. And with each passing encounter, Andy can’t deny the simmering physical attraction that threatens to boil over every time they get close. 

But can the two of them really reunite without wrecking Andy’s carefully rebuilt life? Or is she setting herself up for a fresh heartbreak?

  🌷

 
I couldn’t get enough of this book; I loved everything about it. 

Have you ever come across a story that you couldn’t get out of your mind? Anderson In Bloom was that book for me; I had the hardest time forcing myself to put it down. It made me wish that I didn’t have tests coming up, so I could spend it – reading. Anderson In Bloom reminded me of the reason that I love romance books. It was both the cover and the title that drew me to the story, and I’m so glad that I decided to check it out. I loved Nikki. I loved Andy. I adored the relationship between the two of them and how they reconnected. Although Andy had doubts about Nikki when she appeared, I hoped that she would find it in her heart to give her another chance. I wanted the two of them together. 

I love that Andy worked in a flower shop; I love flowers, so I like anything to do with them. I was curious how Nikki managed to find her though. The reunion between Nikki and Andy was messy, but I could see there was a connection there, even if Andy refused to admit it. I liked the development of their re-connection; always making you wonder what’s going to happen between the two of them next. I had trouble believing all those things Andy said about Nikki; based on how she acted, it was as if she were a completely different person. I also liked how realistic this story felt; I could see some of it happening in real life. 

Anderson In Bloom is the type of story where you didn’t just get attached to the main characters, but the secondary characters as well. I loved Regan and Johnny, but mostly Regan, and the way that she looked out for Andy. I felt like Regan should have her own book because I wanted more of her story. Anderson In Bloom was the first book that I read by Jennifer Dugan, and I’m excited to check out her others. Highly recommended for romance fans.

The Love Hypothesis.

 

 

  ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 

As a third-year Ph.D. candidate, Olive Smith doesn't believe in lasting romantic relationships—but her best friend does, and that's what got her into this situation. Convincing Anh that Olive is dating and well on her way to a happily ever after was always going to take more than hand-wavy Jedi mind tricks: Scientists require proof. So, like any self-respecting biologist, Olive panics and kisses the first man she sees. 

That man is none other than Adam Carlsen, a young hotshot professor—and well-known ass. Which is why Olive is positively floored when Stanford's reigning lab tyrant agrees to keep her charade a secret and be her fake boyfriend. And when a big science conference goes haywire, putting Olive's career on the Bunsen burner, Adam surprises her again with his unyielding support and even more unyielding. . . six-pack abs. 

Suddenly their little experiment feels dangerously close to combustion. And Olive discovers that the only thing more complicated than a hypothesis on love is putting her own heart under the microscope.

 

 🌷

 
I adored this book! I love science, so I love any books that include it. My friend and I decided to do a buddy read of The Love Hypothesis, and I’m so glad we did. You can’t help but love Olive; there is something about her. I think it’s the way that she acts and how she looks out for her friends. I thought it was sweet what she did for Anh, although I had a feeling that this whole fake dating wasn’t going to turn out the way either of them hoped it would. I was worried about what would happen if Anh found out that she had lied to her. It might have started as fake dating, but I saw how Adam was with Olive and the way that he acted around her; there was nothing fake about it. He had more feelings for Olive that he was sharing. I was curious to see what would happen between them next, for how long they would be able to pretend. 

What I loved about The Love Hypothesis is the way the characters were portrayed, including the side characters such as Anh, Malcolm, and Holden. Besides Olive and Adam, Anh and Holden were my favorites. I loved the friendship that Holden had with Adam and the way that he tried to look out for him. Anh was a fantastic friend. She reminds me so much of my best friend, Mariah, who would do anything for me. Everyone needs friends like this. 

I loved the relationship and development between Adam and Olive. It was obvious that they had feelings for one another, even if they tried to deny it. I liked that each chapter had a small hypothesis. I loved reading those and always looked forward to the next one. The banter between Adam and Olive was one of the best, making me laugh out loud on multiple occasions. The Love Hypothesis was the second book that I read by Ali Hazlewood , and one of my favorites. I can’t wait to check out the others.

Leave It Up To Love.

 

 

  ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

 

  Thank you to Amazon First Reads for ARC. All opinions are my own. 

 

 

 03.01.26 

Ready for her big break after publishing her first novel, Lila Everwood has two fresh book ideas and dreams of quitting her barista job. She’s hopeful about her future—until her writing catches her literary idol’s attention in all the wrong ways. 

Elizabeth Lancaster, the queen of regency romance, hasn’t written a word in three years. Her publisher’s solution? A ghostwriter. Specifically, her favorite coffee server. It’s either brilliance or madness—and her literary agent son Grady thinks it’s definitely the latter. 

As the ideas begin to fly, so do the sparks—between Lila and Grady. And, as Lila’s and Elizabeth’s worlds collide, the two writers must lean on each other, learning something vital in the In life, love, and publishing, sometimes you have to write your own happy ending.

 

 

 🌷

 
This was such heartwarming short story! 

I love reading short stories; although sometimes, depending on the story, you will find yourself craving more. Leave It Up To Love was that story, and even though I knew it was a short story, I wanted more. I wanted to find out what would happen with Lila, Elizabeth, and Grady. I love the title of this short story, but when I came across it, I wondered about the meaning behind it. I loved that this story was about writers. I’m an aspiring author, and this inspired me to keep going and not give up. I love the bond that was established between Elizabeth and Lila. I did wonder what would happen once the book was finished. 

From the moment that Lila and Grady meet, you can tell that there is some sort of connection between the two of them. I do feel that Grady is the first one to realize it, though. I’m curious to see what would happen between the two of them. There is part of me that wishes that this book was longer; mostly because I want to know what would happen with them next. Besides the characters, I loved the setting; it made me wish that I could escape there. A short and sweet story about friendship, and love. Highly recommended it.

Hush Darling(Villians Of Kassel,#1)

 

 

 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

 

  Thank you to the author,Lydia Michaels for providing me with complimentary E copy. All opinions are my own. 

Lose your innocence to one of the wickedest men alive in this DARK and TWISTED Peter Pan retelling by bestselling and award-winning author Lydia Michaels. 

Some adventures lead to happily ever afters. Others lead to ruin. 

Wendy Darling is desperate to escape the gilded cage of her childhood, but her parents’ obsession with wealth and status has her trapped. Suffocated by their expectations and starved for freedom, she runs off with the duplicitous billionaire Peter Pangbourn to the Never Lands—an exclusive playground for the lawless elite. But once there, Wendy finds herself stranded and at Peter’s mercy—powerless to get home. 

When pirates storm the island, Wendy is kidnapped by the cruel and vengeful Captain James Hook. James has waited a lifetime to punish his brother, Peter, and he plans to use Wendy’s innocence to exact his revenge. 

Dark secrets are revealed in a battle of wills, and a dangerous obsession ensues between Wendy and her ruthless captor as his dominance is met with stunning surrender. While Hook is determined to dominate and destroy Wendy, she is set on saving his dark soul.

 

 

 🌷

 
I had always loved reading books about forbidden romance; there is something about those that’s exciting for me. What also drew me to the story was that it was a retelling; those are among my favorite things to read. As a kid, I loved Peter Pan. I think that I re-read multiple times when I was little. However, I was also curious about Captain Hook, wondering about his story. I liked the twist Lydia added to this dark retelling of Peter Pan. Even though this book was a bit darker than I usually read, most of it kept me on the edge of my seat, and I had trouble putting it down. I liked the pacing for Hush Darling; it pretty much captured your attention from the very first page, and before you knew it, it’s hours later. 

I loved the character development in this book, especially for Wendy. Of course, I like the bond between the two of them, even if they tried to deny it. I couldn’t help but wonder how it would end for two of them. I did not like Peter, primarily because of the way he treated everyone. I did wonder if maybe he liked Wendy more than he was willing to admit. My favorites were all the descriptions; Lydia has a way of taking you into the story. It might have been darker than I usually read, but I enjoyed most of the book, and almost every page had me wondering what was going to happen next. I would recommend this to any romance fans, especially if you are into dark romance.

Yes To The Spanish Reboot.

 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

 

  Thank you to the author,Nora Qin  for providing me with E ARC, In exchange for honest review. All opinions are my own.

 

 02.17.26 

Nadia isn’t moving to Barcelona... She’s running. 

Running from expectations. From a life in Singapore that looks flawless on paper but feels like someone else wrote it. Barcelona is supposed to be her reset button: anonymity, zero pressure, and the thrill of starting over entirely on her own terms. 

Instead, she’s blindsided by dinners that begin when she’s ready for bed, shops that vanish on Sundays, Spanish that betrays her at the worst possible moments, and job interviews that go nowhere fast. As her savings shrink and her confidence wobbles, Nadia learns the hard way that reinvention is not as glamorous as the Instagram version. 

But then come the small wins: friendships sparked over tapas, misadventures that turn into stories, and a city that refuses to let her fail quietly. And just when she starts to find her rhythm, she meets Diego (warm, unhurried, and everything her old life wasn’t) who pulls her into hidden corners of Barcelona, secret after-parties, and the radical possibility that life isn’t something you conquer… it’s something you savor.

 

 🌷

 
What a cute debut novel! What I loved about Yes To The Spanish Reboot is that it’s different from the other books; this story is not just about starting over somewhere new but rediscovering yourself. I can’t imagine starting over the way that Nadia did, especially in a new country. I loved that it took place in Barcelona when I was on a cruise in December 2025; it was one of our stops, and although I only saw parts of it, I remembered how beautiful it was. While reading Yes To The Spanish Reboot, I wanted to go back and explore even more, especially try all the food. Although Nadia tried her best to fit; I felt like she didn’t figure out what she wanted. 

I liked how this story reflected real life, especially when it comes to starting somewhere new. It couldn’t be easy to move away from her family and learn to navigate everything on her own. I liked Nadia, though sometimes I wondered what she was thinking about some of her decisions. I did get confused by timelines sometimes; the way it transitioned, I wasn’t sure which one I was reading at first. Also, I liked Diego and how he was with Nadia and tried to help, but I felt they fought a bit too much. It felt as if they were always fighting the same way, and the way Diego would put her down. Of course there were times that I loved him when he was they boyfriend that every girl dreams about. 

In general, I loved this story, and I felt as if I were traveling to Barcelona while reading. I am kind of curious to see what happens after. I also loved the chapter titles. Yes To The Spanish Reboot will also make you laugh, which was another of my favorite parts of this book. I highly recommend checking out this book.

Maybe This Once (Rock Bottom Love,#3)

 

 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

  Thank you to publisher,St Martin's Griffin, for providing with E ARC via Netgalley, In exchange for honest review. All opinions are my own.

 

Two people end up with more feelings than they bargained for after pursuing a summer fling, in this small-town, opposites-attract romance from Sophie Sullivan. 

Charlotte “Charlie” Ashford has worked hard to become her own person. Tired of living in the shadow of her famous parents, she gladly left behind a life of glitz and glamour to pursue her true passion: becoming a counselor. However, when a viral video upends Charlie’s plans, she wonders if the real key to discovering herself is through her late father. 

Grayson Keller has finally found his footing. He’s settled in one place, surrounded by family, and secure in his business. By his third summer as owner, Get Lost Lodge is showing a steady profit and seeing its fair share of repeat visitors. Whatever happens, Grayson is perfectly content with his quiet life and careful heart. That is, until he meets Charlie, who he can’t seem to get out of his head. 

On the surface, Charlie and Grayson seem to have nothing in common more than a growing attraction that neither of them can fight. Trusting each other isn’t easy. They’ve both been hurt before, and they’re not looking for anything serious. The solution is easy: they’ll date, have some fun, and walk away unscathed. Right? Or, maybe this once, they can see past the hurt to what, or who, is on the other side waiting for them.

 

 🌷

 
I’ve been hearing about Sophie Sullivan from my friends, but I have yet to read her books. Maybe This Once was the first book that I read by her, and I’m so glad that I did. There is so much that I adored about this book: the characters, their connections with each other, and, of course, the setting. I loved the way everyone came together and how welcoming they were towards Charlie; it’s what she needed – friends. I enjoyed the big focus on the found family, which is one of my favorite tropes to read about. Maybe This Once won’t have you connecting only with the main characters but also with the secondary ones. It’s not a story that you will forget. 

What drew me into the story was the title and the cover. I think both of those tell their own stories. I didn’t realize it was part of a series until I started reading, but it can be read as stand-alone and Sophie did an excellent job on that. One of my favorite parts was the setting, Get Lost Lodge, which sounds like a perfect place to escape to. I love nature, and all those descriptions had me imagining myself there. I loved the way that everyone worked there; they were a team. I do wish that Sophie told others the truth; but I understood why she didn’t but was afraid of what might happen when others found out. 

How can you not love Grayson? He’s the type of guy that every girl wishes for. Grayson needed someone like Charlie, and she needed him. You could tell that there was something special between the two of them from the moment that they met. I feel that Charlie was the most relaxed when she was around him. I was rooting for the two of them throughout the book. This was such a heartwarming story, and now that I have read it, I want to read the others in the series. I highly recommend checking out this book.

In The Likely Event.

 

 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

 

 4.5★

 

When Izzy Astor gets on a plane to go home, she isn’t expecting much. It’s the usual holiday travel experience: busy, crowded, stressful. 

Then she spots her seatmate, who is anything but ordinary. Nate Phelan sports dark hair, blue eyes, and a deliciously rugged charm that Izzy can’t resist. Their connection is undeniable. Izzy never believed in destiny before, but she does now. 

Just ninety seconds after takeoff, their plane goes down in the Missouri River. 

Their lives change. They change. Nate goes on to a career in the military while Izzy finds her way into politics. Despite a few chance encounters over the years, the timing never feels right.
Then comes a high-stakes reunion in Afghanistan, where Nate is tasked with protecting Izzy’s life.
He’ll do anything to keep her safe. And everything to win her heart.

 

 🌷

 
It didn’t take long to fall in love with this story. I devoured this book. 

In The Likely Event was the fourth book that I have read by Rebecca Yarros; it’s safe to say that she became one of my favorites. I love the way that she creates the connection between the reader and the characters. I knew there was no way I could imagine how Izzy and Nate were feeling; while reading their story, I could. I felt their fear, but I also felt their love and Izzy’s confusion, along with Nate’s frustration. Every page had me craving for me; wanting to know what was in store for Izzy and Nate next. 

I loved the slow-burning romance between Izzy and Nate. I think I was rooting for the two of them from the moment that they met. I saw something special between the two of them, and the way Nate was with Izzy, it was clear that he fell for her before she did. I liked that the dual perspectives were written from both characters' points of view and across different timelines. It was clear how much Nate still loved her. I was wondering if the two of them would find a way to one another. The chemistry between the two of them was incredible, to the point where you didn’t want to put the book down. 

One of my favorite things about Rebecca Yarros's books is the way she portrays her characters and their emotions. I adored Izzy and Nate; although there were times when I got frustrated with the two of them. Although I liked both of characters, but I felt as if I could connect with Izzy more. In The Likely Event you won’t fall in love with only the main characters but also the side characters in the story. It’s an emotional book but it’s worth it every page.

The Astral Library.

 

 ⭐️⭐️⭐️

 

3.5★ 

  Thank you to publisher,William Morrow, for providing with E ARC via Netgalley, In exchange for honest review. All opinions are my own.

 

 

 

02.17.26 

 

Alexandria “Alix” Watson has learned one lesson from her barren childhood in the foster-care system: unlike people, books will never let you down. Working three dead-end jobs to make ends meet and knowing college is a pipe dream, Alix takes nightly refuge in the high-vaulted reading room at the Boston Public Library, escaping into her favorite fantasy novels and dreaming of far-off lands. Until the day she stumbles through a hidden door and meets the Librarian: the ageless, acerbic guardian of a hidden library where the desperate and the lost escape to new lives...inside their favorite books. 

The Librarian takes a dazzled Alix under her wing, but before she can escape into the pages of her new life, a shadowy enemy emerges to threaten everyone the Astral Library has ever helped protect. Aided by a dashing costume-shop owner, Alix and the Librarian flee through the Regency drawing rooms of Jane Austen to the back alleys of Sherlock Holmes and the champagne-soaked parties of The Great Gatsby as danger draws inexorably closer. But who does their enemy really wish to destroy—Alix, the Librarian, or the Library itself?

 

 🌷

 
I have been a fan of Kate Quinn since I read The Alice Network in 2021. I have read a few of her books since and enjoyed them all. I was excited when she announced Astral Library on Instagram. A library where you can escape into books, that sounds so magical to me. I was eager to see what Kate Quinn would create in this magical world. I enjoyed the book, but not as much as her other books I have read. I liked most of the story and the setting itself; however, it wasn’t what I had expected. It didn’t have the magic that I expected when I picked up the book. 

The first half of the book was interesting and had me wondering what adventure awaits Alix next. I liked how she discovered the Astral Library. When Alix discovered the library, I found myself wondering what book she would pick, and if she ended up staying there or choosing a different book. The Astral Library was different from other Kate Quinn’s books, and that was one of the things that I liked about it. I do wish we could go inside the worlds that Alix and the librarian jumped into to explore them further. I also felt that sometimes the transition between the worlds was a bit confusing. I liked that the literary worlds they ended up in were classics; some of my favorites. 

The Astral Library sends a powerful message. In general, I enjoyed exploring the worlds of Astral Library. I would like to escape into my favorite book, and escape reality for a while. I’m eager to see what Kate Quinn has in store for us next!

Louder Than Words(Lyrics From The Heart,#2)

 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️ 

 

 Thank you to the author,Olivia Tucker for providing me with E-ARC, and  Rattle The Stars PR for giving me opportunity to be part of Olivia's Street Team!

 

 

  02.24.26

 

Allie:
Three months ago, I crashed into my favorite rock star—literally. 

And I walked away with more than a bruised ego. I walked away with him.

 But happily-ever-after isn’t as simple as it looks from the outside. 

The world’s watching our every move, just waiting for us to fall apart. 

Jax holds me together when I know I’m unraveling, makes me laugh when I want to cry.

 But love doesn’t fix everything.

 And I don’t know if we can survive what’s coming next.

 
Jax:
Allie isn’t just the girl I fell for—she’s the calm I never knew I needed.

 Now the world’s spinning faster than ever: album about to drop, band drama boiling over. Everyone wants a piece of me, and I’m running out of pieces to give. 

Then the last person I ever expected to see again walks back into my life.

 He’s back, asking questions that pull open scars I learned to hide. 

Except this time, I’ve got something worth fighting for— 

and I’ll burn it all down before anyone takes her from me.

 🌷

 
I have no words. When I finished Louder Than Words; it took me a while to gather my emotions and my thoughts. This story will take you on emotional roller coaster ride. I think that Louder Than Words was one of the most emotional books that I read this year. As you read the book, you will experience all the emotions that Jax and Allie do, as if it’s happening to you. I read this book in 2 days because no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t pull away from Allie and Jax’s story. I’m still finding myself thinking about the story, and I know that it will stay with me for a long time. 

I read Don’t Think last year for my book club, and that’s when I fell in love. Although, I loved the first book; I loved Louder Than Words even more. I felt that the second book had much more emotion and was more in-depth. I have been curious to see what was next for Allie and Jax since the last book, especially after that cliffhanger in Don’t Think. I adored Jax even more in this book; the way that he took care of Allie and her daughters. Jax is the type of guy that everyone dreams about. Jax and Allie; they belonged together. 

I loved the way that Jax and Allie’s relationship grew throughout the story. I could tell how much they loved each other. All through the story; I was praying for their happy ending. I also loved Allie’s best friend, Ana; she reminded me so much of mine, always by my side through it all. I wish I could keep talking about this fantastic book, but I don’t want to give too much away. If I could, I would give this book more than five stars; highly recommended!