claire-reads-romance

[claire-reads-romance]

The Mistake - Elle Kennedy ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

"Are you trying to buy your way into my good graces?"

"Yup. And excellent pun, by the way."

"I wasn't punning. My name just happens to be a homonym." His blue eyes gleam as he downright smolders at me.

"I love it when you talk homonyms to me."

John Logan was really doing the most trying to win Grace back. After the hockey player accidentally showed up at her door, the two had a nice thing going until he messed it up because he didn't understand what he wanted. Despite his historical lack of interest in relationships, he really wants to go out with Grace, so, after a summer apart, he starts wooing.

While I found this book generally cute, the hockey team hilarious, and John adorable, something was just a bit off for me. John's home life was a big issue for him and the resolution to that problem felt rushed and way too unrealistic. The college party scene felt a bit too exaggerated for me. I also felt a little weird about John's refusal to leave Grace alone. I know it was meant to be cute and that she ultimately didn't mind, but following her home from the park was just too much.

Also, I'd like to mention that there is a scene in which a side character is almost sexually assaulted that I did not think was handled very well. I'm not sure that it was quite necessary to the story and I don't think the main characters' thoughts about it afterward send a good message.

Don't get me wrong, there's a lot I liked about the book, including John's ability to make friends with everyone and Grace's development into her own person outside of her parents and childhood friends. I loved the banter between the hockey team and I admired John's willingness to make sacrifices for his family. I liked John's quest to accomplish her six tasks so she would go on a date with him and there was some spice going on. Overall, though there were some things I didn't love, I thought the main couple were cute together and that it was a nice read.

"I love you, you stupid jackass."

#college #hockey #second chance #ish #book recommendations #booklr #3 stars #dual pov #groveling #🌶 #the mistake #elle kennedy #tw sa mention

[claire-reads-romance]

The Hating Game - Sally Thorne ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

"Shortcake, if we were flirting, you'd know about it." Our eyes catch and I feel a weird drop inside. This conversation is running off the rails.

"Because I'd be traumatized?"

"Because you'd be thinking about it later on, lying in bed."

Oh, enemies to lovers. The tension in this book was delicious. Rival coworkers after a merger between an artistic publishing house and a money-making one, Lucy and Josh could not have been more different. She's tiny, stylish, smurf-obsessed, and a people pleaser to the core, whereas he's tall, wears the same shirt in 10 different colors, and has a reputation for being a hard-ass. The one thing they seem to share is a mutual hatred for each other that boils over into something more as they prepare to face-off for a promotion.

I loved this book! Josh and Lucy's relationship evolves slowly through big plot points (hello, elevator) and smaller ones (the looks, omg). It felt predictable in the best way. I wanted to scream at Lucy to stop being an idiot and got all giddy when my suspicions turned out to be right. Still, I didn't expect everything Josh threw at me and his surprises made him even more dreamy. Of course he had some flaws, including being a jerk most of the time, but, when they weren't threatening to kill each other, he treated Lucy with tremendous care and understanding.

Their relationship wasn't one sided, however. Though Lucy took forever to realize what was going on with her feelings, she stood up for Josh and saw him for who he truly was. She had her moments of obliviousness that seemed to hurt Josh, and drove me absolutely insane in the way good books do, but she eventually realized her mistakes. As they spent more time together, the two seemed to take on more of each other's traits. Josh got a bit nicer and Lucy got a bit more assertive. I enjoyed watching their growth as a couple and as individuals due to their interactions.

The writing was funny and full of upbeat banter. The smut (is there!) and was well written: steamy but meaningful. There was just enough foreshadowing to drive me crazy, and the plot itself was full of fun scenes. If I had to find something to dislike, it would be the other guy interested in Lucy. He contributed to the plot at first, but he seemed to stick around a bit too long.

“He’s seen me sweating, vomiting, feverish, and asleep. He’s seen me angry, frustrated, scared. Horny, lonely, heartsick. No matter how I look, it never seems to faze him. He always looks at me exactly the same way. Knowing this gives me the confidence to walk out in my SLEEPYSAURUS T-shirt and sleep shorts.”

and one last one... for good luck:

"I wanted you here because I always want you with me"

#enemies to lovers #coworkers #rivals #book recommendations #booklr #5 stars #single pov #🌶 #the hating game #sally thorne