GENRE OF THE WEEK # 1: 💞ROMANCE👩‍❤️‍💋‍👨👨‍❤️‍👨👩‍❤️‍👨 - Page 4

Originally posted by: LizzieBennet

Title: The Takeover (The Miles High Club #2)

Author: T.L. Swan

Year published: 2020

Narrative style: First person, dual PoV, linear

Maturity rating: Strictly Adult (Spice level: 4, PS: I read this book a while ago and since then have read many, many smutty books , so maybe my spice rating would go down a bit? Idk)

Book Rating: 3.5

Tropes: Single mom, Younger MMC, Enemies-to-lovers (I guess, but they don't stay enemies for very long), opposites attract (sorta?)

Triggers: Death/ Grief

Book blurb:

I first met Tristan Miles at a meeting where he was trying to take over my late husband’s company.

He was powerful, arrogant, and infuriatingly gorgeous, and I hated him with every cell in my body. In the shock of the century, he called me three days later and asked me on a date.

I would rather die than date a man like him—though I do have to admit it was good for the ego. Turning him down was the highlight of my year.

Six months later, he was the guest speaker at a conference I attended in France.

Still arrogant and infuriating—but this time, surprisingly charming and witty.

When he looked at me, I got butterflies.

But I can’t go there.

He’s just a player in a hot suit, and I’m just a widow with three unruly sons.

I just need this conference to be over.

Because everybody knows that Tristan Miles always gets what he wants…and what he wants is me.

Review:

I began with Book #2 in this series because I'd heard so much about it. So many people in the FB group I'm in recommended it highly and all I can say is that I get why so many are staking claim to Tristan Miles as their book boyfriend.

That said, I had so many problems with this book but almost all of them can be summarized with this one point: I can see why the FMC (& her kids) fell in love with Tristan but I cannot, for the life of me, figure why Tris fell for Claire (or her kids).

Claire is such a clueless mom. For all her possessiveness about her kids, she has no effing clue what's going on with them! It took Tris to figure out Harry's school problems and one meeting with his teacher was all it needed.

This man just gives, gives, gives and gets zilch in return. That third act sh*t that Claire pulled in regard to Tris & her kids was so WTF I cannot even! And then there was no resolution for it! The groveling scene from her was written, yes, but it had no meaning. In the end, the grand gesture came from two of her kids and not Claire herself. And Tris just effing gave up everything for her! What even??

I mean I get why this book is so loved - the author writes it like a kind of wish fulfillment for older women with kids being desired by a younger, hotter man. But when one half of the couple is doing everything for the relationship and all you get from her is her constant thoughts on how 'beautiful' he is, I'm seriously pissed.

The writing also left much to be desired. The author has an easy, breezy style of writing that I'll admit makes it easy to read (I devoured this book in a matter of a few hours), her writing style was seriously ugh in places. Didn't she have a proof-reader? And also Claire behaves like a teenager at times (she's 38 and the mother of a teen and two younger boys! WTF!) Tris does too and that was annoying. Neither of the leads seemed to have any maturity. Their characters seem to have been butchered for the sake of a few laughs.

There are many LOL moments and some awww moments, (a couple made me tear up too) but overall all I'll say is Tris deserved better. The 3.5 stars are all for him. He's awesome. I loved him. The whole reason why I shook myself out of my inertia to write this review is because of how outraged I feel for him. Sorry, Tris. Your creator let you down .

I have Elliot's book downloaded (I didn't quite like Jameson in this one so idk if I'll read his book), but I'm conflicted on if I'll read it.

Overall, I thought this author (& this book) was overhyped.

ETA: I read Elliott's book and nope, this author isn't for me!

Aree momzuuu...you reading Miles high series

BOOK THREE. GO FOR BOOK THREE. I didn't find this one that mind-blowing either. Book 2 and 4 were miss for me. Definitely liked Jameson's Book (Book 1) and Elliot's Book (Book 3)! Three's my fav. It is just something about enemies-to-lovers trope lol.

The FMC is such a baddie!

Rating : 3

If you're looking for a light and entertaining enemies-to-lovers romance with a dash of brother's-best-friend tension, then Elle Nicoll's "Resisting Mr. Rich" might just be your cup of tea. This was my first foray into Nicoll's work, and while it didn't break any new ground in the genre, it offered a perfectly enjoyable read.

The story centers around Maddy and Logan, whose past is riddled with animosity. When they're forced together by work circumstances (and a dash of forced proximity!), the sparks fly – both good and bad. The enemies-to-lovers banter is well-done, with enough humor and snark to keep you engaged. The romance itself unfolds at a steady pace, and the spicy scenes are plentiful and steamy.

One of the highlights of the book is the camaraderie between the male characters. Their club scene, fueled by jealousy and protectiveness over Maddy, is a laugh-out-loud moment. The subplot involving Logan needing to secure funding for his family business adds a layer of depth to his character and creates a shared goal for him and Maddy.

Overall, "Resisting Mr. Rich" is a solid, entertaining read. It's not going to win awards for being extra ordinary, but it delivers exactly what it promises: a fun, sexy enemies-to-lovers story with a dash of humor.

If you're looking for a light and easy escape, give this book a try!

Originally posted by: EuphoricDamsel

Aree momzuuu...you reading Miles high series

BOOK THREE. GO FOR BOOK THREE. I didn't find this one that mind-blowing either. Book 2 and 4 were miss for me. Definitely liked Jameson's Book (Book 1) and Elliot's Book (Book 3)! Three's my fav. It is just something about enemies-to-lovers trope lol.

The FMC is such a baddie!

Lol I did not like Elliott’s book at all! Liked it even less than this one! Jameson from whatever he appeared in both books did not give me great vibes so imma refrain. I think I have a problem with this author in general. I actually loved Tristan. Did not like the FMC and that’s why the book hit a low for me.

Originally posted by: EuphoricDamsel

I am yet to read Addicted series. I have heard so much about it...and ofc I haven't read a series in AGES! But I'm going to read the mindf*ck series first...it has been put off for FAR too long!

The best series I ever read off of bookstagram recs was "THE DARK VERSE" series by my baby @runyx. NOTHING and I mean NOTHING even comes close to the suspense/ romance/ angstand whatever sorcery those books have. Waiting for the last book or you could stay starving for it!

Have you read Dreamland Billionaire series by Lauren Asher? My fav is Declan's book.

I read one book in dirty air series. I don't remember which though...guess it was 3rd. Decent book, nothing excellent though!

Highly recommend the Addicted series! But I actually read the Mindf*ck series a couple months ago and I haven't binged an entire book/series in one sitting, pulling an all-nighter, in so long - but this series was absolutely worth it! I was worried that I hyped it up in my head and it wouldn't meet my expectations, but I have never been more happy to be wrong, the entire series was an easy five stars!

Ooo, so Mindf*ck is me dipping my toe into dark romance, even though I don't really count it as dark romance since I care so much more about the main character's story than her relationship (I honestly wouldn't have noticed if you removed the romance aspect of it). But Gothikana by Runyx has been recommended to me a bunch, so let's see if I get to it this year. (I usually borrow books from the library and I doubt my library will have it.)

I have read Dreamland Billionaires and Rowan's book is my favourite! I'm actually very vocal on here about how much I dislike Declan as a character.

Book Title: Delilah Green Doesn't Care (Bright Falls #1)

Author: Ashley Herring Blake

Sub-Genre: Contemporary/LGBTQIA+

Year Published: 2022

Language: English

Narrative type: third person; alternating/dual POV (sort of); present tense; HEA

Trope/s: single mom, good girl/bad girl (kinda? these are adults), small-town romance, best-friend's sister/sister's best-friend

Triggers: I can't remember anything off the top of my head other, sorry!

Maturity Rating: 4 (again, maybe it was 5, but I don't remember)

Book Rating: ALL THE STARS 5.75

Synopsis or Book blurb: Delilah Green swore she would never go back to Bright Falls—nothing is there for her but memories of a lonely childhood where she was little more than a burden to her cold and distant stepfamily. Her life is in New York, with her photography career finally gaining steam and her bed never empty. Sure, it’s a different woman every night, but that’s just fine with her.

When Delilah’s estranged stepsister, Astrid, pressures her into photographing her wedding with a guilt trip and a five-figure check, Delilah finds herself back in the godforsaken town that she used to call home. She plans to breeze in and out, but then she sees Claire Sutherland, one of Astrid’s stuck-up besties, and decides that maybe there’s some fun (and a little retribution) to be had in Bright Falls, after all.

Having raised her eleven-year-old daughter mostly on her own while dealing with her unreliable ex and running a bookstore, Claire Sutherland depends upon a life without surprises. And Delilah Green is an unwelcome surprise…at first. Though they’ve known each other for years, they don’t really know each other—so Claire is unsettled when Delilah figures out exactly what buttons to push. When they’re forced together during a gauntlet of wedding preparations—including a plot to save Astrid from her horrible fiancé—Claire isn’t sure she has the strength to resist Delilah’s charms. Even worse, she’s starting to think she doesn’t want to…

Spoiler-free review: This is one of those “5 stars is a feeling” type of books where you think about it constantly, it’s one of your all-time favourite books, but it’s just so hard to put into words what you like about it and why you love it so much in the first place. There’s just something so captivating about Ashley Herring Blake’s writing that it’s hard to critically analyze the book unless you’ve read it a few times, but I’m going to try to say something beyond “I love this book so much!”. (I’ve only been able to read it once, despite how much I love it. It’s never available at the library and it’s always out of stock at every bookstore I check.)

I think that the book did a really good job of developing Claire and Delilah’s relationships beyond the one they share with each other. Claire’s dynamic with her ex and her daughter Ruby are super fleshed out. Her friendship with Iris and Astrid both as a trio and individually is really well done, especially when we get to see how Delilah is integrated into it, knowing their past. I also love how Delilah’s relationship with Astrid and Ruby was written throughout the book. Delilah and Ruby’s bond is very special to me because, in books with a single-parent trope, you rarely get to see older kids like Ruby so to have this pre-teen and have her get so attached to Delilah because they’re just so similar and understand each other in a way that they’ve been so desperate for other people to be able to do - I just get very emotional every time I think of these two. Ruby was never Claire’s daughter to Delilah - she was a Delilah from the past that adult!Delilah wanted to protect and support in every scene they had because she’d gone through something similar, and didn’t have anyone in her corner.

When did you start reading romance and what was your first book in this genre?
When I was 18 I think. I dont remember if my first one was Two States or The Fault in Our Stars.

Who are your favorite Romance authors & why?

I like Emily Henry's books

What are your favorite Romance books (share a review if you'd like)?

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell, On the Island by Tracey Garvis Graves

What are your favorite romantic tropes?

I like enemies to lovers, friends to lovers and forbidden love

[Fake dating, Enemies to Lovers, Friends to Lovers, Love Triangle, Forbidden love, Age gap, Second chance etc.]

What is/ are your favorite Romance sub-genre/s?

Contemporary romance

[Dark romance/ Historical/ Paranormal/Romcom/ LGBT/Vampire/ Dystopian/Fantasy/Suspense/ Western/ Comedy etc]

Share some Romance books in your TBR list

I am trying to read other genres now because most of my 'read' books are romance books. I dont have any in my TBR list right now.

What was the last 5-star romance book you read?

The Cruel Prince by Holly Black

Originally posted by: foreverlazy

Highly recommend the Addicted series! But I actually read the Mindf*ck series a couple months ago and I haven't binged an entire book/series in one sitting, pulling an all-nighter, in so long - but this series was absolutely worth it! I was worried that I hyped it up in my head and it wouldn't meet my expectations, but I have never been more happy to be wrong, the entire series was an easy five stars!

Ooo, so Mindf*ck is me dipping my toe into dark romance, even though I don't really count it as dark romance since I care so much more about the main character's story than her relationship (I honestly wouldn't have noticed if you removed the romance aspect of it). But Gothikana by Runyx has been recommended to me a bunch, so let's see if I get to it this year. (I usually borrow books from the library and I doubt my library will have it.)

I have read Dreamland Billionaires and Rowan's book is my favourite! I'm actually very vocal on here about how much I dislike Declan as a character.

I LOVED the Mindf*ck series. DESTROYED ME.5 BIG Cried-Myself-to-sleep-because-it-was-that-Good Stars.
Runyx announced a new standalone recently and we've been updated that the last book from Dark Verse is into professional editing now. Nothing more though.

I actually love Declan's book a lot because of Iris? It's just the dynamic these two have been given. I don't know why it is my best book in the series.

Just yesterday I finished up another duet #Twin Lies by S.M. Soto it is Romantic Suspense and has a twin sister's murder trope. I liked it, even though in the second book characters weren't being their best the plot twists were there and overall it was a great read.

Originally posted by: EuphoricDamsel

I LOVED the Mindf*ck series. DESTROYED ME.5 BIG Cried-Myself-to-sleep-because-it-was-that-Good Stars.
Runyx announced a new standalone recently and we've been updated that the last book from Dark Verse is into professional editing now. Nothing more though.

I actually love Declan's book a lot because of Iris? It's just the dynamic these two have been given. I don't know why it is my best book in the series.

Just yesterday I finished up another duet #Twin Lies by S.M. Soto it is Romantic Suspense and has a twin sister's murder trope. I liked it, even though in the second book characters weren't being their best the plot twists were there and overall it was a great read.

Ooo, adding Twin Lies to my TBR!!!

Originally posted by: foreverlazy

Ooo, adding Twin Lies to my TBR!!!

Me too, romantic suspense is my favourite type of suspense