Review: Below Zero by Ali Hazelwood

About the Book

From the New York Times bestselling author of The Love Hypothesis comes a new steamy, STEMinist novella…

It will take the frosty terrain of the Arctic to show these rival scientists that their chemistry burns hot.

Mara, Sadie, and Hannah are friends first, scientists always. Though their fields of study might take them to different corners of the world, they can all agree on this universal truth: when it comes to love and science, opposites attract and rivals make you burn…

Hannah’s got a bad feeling about this. Not only has the NASA aerospace engineer found herself injured and stranded at a remote Arctic research station—but the one person willing to undertake the hazardous rescue mission is her longtime rival.

Ian has been many things to Hannah: the villain who tried to veto her expedition and ruin her career, the man who stars in her most deliciously lurid dreams…but he’s never played the hero. So why is he risking everything to be here? And why does his presence seem just as dangerous to her heart as the coming snowstorm?

Review

Below Zero was a book where I quickly fell in love with the romance. Hannah and Ian were opposite, and from their first interaction, I was sold. The easiest way to describe them is to say that Hannah is a black cat archetype, and Ian is a cinnamon roll. 

This book has several time jumps, which don’t bother me—especially since it was weaved perfectly into the story. Hannah and Ian met years ago and prior to the major event in this story, there was a misunderstanding and Hannah is quite upset with him. Hannah can’t be faulted for her reaction because, in the context of the story, it made sense. Regardless, Ian was determined to ensure that she didn’t get hurt. I was begging for more from them. Unfortunately, this is a novella. The story moves quickly. Although the Ian and Hannah shine there’s so much of their story that felt untouched. 

Final Thoughts

Below Zero has several high points for me. I giggled to myself and truly loved Hannah and Ian. The space terminology went over my head several times, however, it was easy to overlook. The only real problem I had was that the book felt like only the beginning for these characters, and there was much that could still be explored. 

Buy on Amazon Kindle | Audible

Review: Rope the Moon by Ava Hunter

Book Summary

I was a good girl who played by the rules. Except when it came to Davis Montgomery.

A handsome former Marine with a rough touch and a filthy mouth. A man I loved.

But when he didn’t ask me to stay, I took it as a sign to leave my small town and chase my dream. What a mistake that turned out to be.

Now, I’m back, running from the flames of my past to find a fresh start.

But fresh doesn’t always mean easy. Not when I’m now the town outcast. Not when I can’t hide my bruises or the baby I’m carrying.

Review

After reading Rope the Moon, I much prefer Tame the Heart. Rope the Moon wasn’t a terrible book by any means. It just failed to hold my attention like Tame the Heart. 

This book started strong. I felt that the choice to begin with a flashback showing Davis and Dakota’s relationship got me excited to read the book. Even their first initial meeting after six years, I was strapped in for this journey. Unfortunately, the book felt off at times for several reasons. 

Whose story is this? Because often it felt that Dakota and Davis were sidelined in their own story. Within this story, Dakota takes it upon himself to make sure that Dakota is safe. His desire and commitment to protect her worked well. The issue is that often the author forgot who was truly at risk. Dakota’s situation is scary and dangerous, and I don’t think the author did her story justice. I wanted her to shine through at the end, and have this big moment, however, she felt sidelined—including her pregnancy. 

This story would have been far more entertaining if Dakota and Davis were treated like the main characters. they worked as a couple, and with a little more development I would have loved them more than the previous couple. 

Final Thoughts

Rope the Moon felt like the author was trying to rush to the next book in the series. Dakota and Davis felt sidelined in their story thus resulting in their relationship feeling underdeveloped, repetitive, and boring at times. 

Buy on Amazon Kindle | Paperback | Bookshop.org

Review: My Side of the River: A Memoir by Elizabeth Camarillo Gutierrez

Immigration to the US has been sought out for many years. This country once prided itself as a melting pot that embraced those who wanted to emigrate here for the opportunity to escape violence, poverty, secure work or educational opportunities or mostly freedom to live a life that is safe and good for their family. Sadly, with that optimism many have faced discrimination depending on their choice of pursuance, legally or illegally. 

As people are entitled to and have the right to their opinion, it’s also important to see and hear the voices of the people who get silenced by stereotypes or the actions of some that affect the perception of the group as a whole. My Side of the River is a beautiful memoir that represents an experience of a woman of immigrant parents, including their deportation back to Mexico and the sacrifice, determination and perseverance of trying to live the American dream.

Based on the life experience of Elizabeth Camarillo Gutierrez, she was born in the US from immigrant parents. Her parents wanted her to have a better opportunity than they had and made the sacrifice to come to the US to plant the seed for her to blossom. Knowing the risks but determined, her parents came here and worked hard to be able to have a life that every immigrant dreams of. Sadly, beginning the most important journey of a young person’s life, her parents got deported and it changed the physical trajectory of their family but never the love and hope that they planted to keep going.

Since she was a US citizen, she was left to take care of herself and brother. Going to Mexico was not an option. Her parents wanted her to be somebody and her determination defied any obstacles that she met succeeding past expectations and societal perceptions. Her journey was tough, met with setbacks but she pushed back and fought so that her sacrifices nor her parents were in vain.

For people out there who have strong opinions about immigration that involve those who are illegal, I know it’s hard because our headline news only focuses on the people who have committed crimes. You never hear the perspective and experiences such as hers that have parents who love and will do anything for their children to be able to be somebody and have an opportunity to have a good life. The love of a family, the weight of the world on the shoulders of the children who have illegal parents, the pain of being separated all with the inspired fight for the American dream make this an inspired read that will hopefully open and capture your heart.

Buy on Amazon Kindle | Audible | Hardcover | Bookshop.org

Review: Hypnotized by Love by Sariah Wilson

Hypnotized by Sariah Wilson brings a wonderful romantic comedy that blends an irresistible narrative of love, self discovery and second chances. 

At the heart of the book, we are introduced to hypnotist Savannah Sinclair. With praise for her unconventional methods, she has helped many clients overcome many of their issues. With all the good that she has done, she has met her fair of skeptics.One in particular, Mason Beckett, whose personal and professional setbacks have brought him into the space of hypnotism, was tasked with writing an expose on its techniques. Little does he know how the power of suggestion can change your life.

To accomplish his goal, he has to be a willing participant open to the experience. Unfortunately during the session an emergency happened that left him in a hypnotized state. Unsure of what to do, Savannah finds herself in a dilemma that challenges her personal and professional wants.In this trance, Mason is acting like a different person. The kind of person that has her heart starting to fall for the one person who broke it.

What follows is an amazing story of second chance love. As he undergoes a transformation in this new state, he and Savannah rewrite their story that was meant to be. Their chemistry was beautiful and their journey was worth reading. Besides the charm of their journey, also to note the wonderful relationship with her twin sister and friend brought some fun to the mix that contributed to its page turn worthy experience. 

So overall, is there ever a book by Sariah Wilson that doesn’t have me turning the pages. No. If you love her books, this one will be no different. Wonderful characters with a sweet story that will make you laugh and root for their hea.

Buy on Amazon Kindle | Audible | Paperback | Bookshop.org

Review: Fighting Words by R.S. Grey

About the Book

A new contemporary romantic comedy from USA TODAY bestselling author R.S. Grey.

Hate turns to heat when a literary grump meets his deadline savior.

My assignment is simple: trek to a remote English cottage and convince Nathaniel Foster to let me work with him.

Too bad he’s a complete and utter jerk.

Who slams the door in a poor stranger’s face, leaving them shivering out in the snow?! So much for a warm welcome.

Nathaniel is God’s gift to readers everywhere. My publisher is desperate for his next book, which in turn makes me desperate to help him complete it. So what if he doesn’t want to play nice? I have no choice but to live and work with him in this snow-covered cottage, suffering under his piercing blue stare until it feels like I might combust.

Our heated exchanges by day give way to torturous tension at night. I can’t clock out from his all-consuming presence. I can’t escape my unwanted feelings. When one of our arguments nearly ends in an angry kiss, I worry the writing is on the wall.

But I can do this. I can clench my teeth, ball my fists, and focus on this damn book. If I can just keep the fiction and fantasy between the pages and not between the sheets, I’ll be the hero of the publishing world.

So pick up your pen, Nathaniel—and please, please, stop looking at me like that.

Review

This was a solid book with the typical R.S. Grey traits that begin to seem repetitive if you were to binge all her books close together. For the most part, I was entertained. I enjoyed that Summer was such a big fan of Nate’s books and let her fiery side show when he tried to be closed off. In fact, I think I enjoyed their relationship the most within the book. 

Both characters were their best when they were with each other. As other characters were introduced, the book started to unravel. For example, Summer and her older sister—Emma. For most of the book, Summer talks about how much of a black sheep she is compared to her family. She’s only keeping her ex close because of her family. She has an especially hard time with Emma. Emma makes a brief appearance at the end of the story, and as much as Summer talked about her family, I expected the scene to pack a punch. It was fine at best and felt mostly like filler. Then, there is whole ex-boyfriend, Andrew, of it all. He didn’t need as much focus as he got. 

Final Thoughts 

Fighting Words works best when it’s just Summer and Nate. I enjoyed the scenes where they were talking about his writing process and how the romance within Nate’s book mirrored their relationship. Their relationship within the latter half was my favorite, and I thought the author shined there. Unfortunately, the book tries to introduce dynamics with the leads with other characters that don’t fully feel flushed out nor do they add anything to the story. I would have been fine if this simply had been a story about Summer traveling to England to help Nate without the ex-boyfriend and family drama. I think if both had been omitted then the author would have had more time to focus on Nate and Summer’s relationship. 

Buy on Amazon Kindle | Paperback

Audiobook Review: Skip to the End by Molly James

Summary:

In this joyful romance, one wild night results in three kisses—only one successful—and leaves a perpetually single Amy searching for her perfect match so she can find a happy ending.

Amy Daniels has a pretty nice life. Her career is on the up, she loves her friends, and she's about to buy her very own flat. On a good day, Amy could be described as a catch—so why is she perpetually single?

The trouble is, Amy can see something no one else can: the end. As soon as she kisses someone, she knows, in intimate, vivid detail, how their relationship will finish. A screaming argument in the middle of the supermarket over milk. An explicit email sent to the wrong address. A hasty escape through a bathroom window on the second date. At the altar—runaway-bride style. There seems to be no end to the unhappy endings.

After years of trying, and failing, to change a pre-written future, Amy has given up. But then she drunkenly kisses three men at her best friend's wedding and sees three possible endings: two painful, one perfect. The problem is, Amy can't really remember who she kissed, and worse, what ending belongs to which person—the only thing she knows for certain is that she's determined to find out…

Review

To be honest, I'm curious how my experience would've been had I read the book prior or instead of. I didn't initially connect with the audiobook. It took some time to connect with the narrator partly due in part in the dialect. That isn't something problematic, it was just something to adjust to. Once the story delved into why Amy was perpetually single, I was able to zone into the progression of the plot.

Ideally my curiosity piqued after that conversation with her mother. My anticipation grew with the book and the enthusiasm of the narrator kept my interest. In the context of the plot of the book, I personally would've enjoyed dual narrators, especially in those moments to differentiate which guy when she was trying to figure out who she kissed. Also, I would've loved more time with Amy and Garrett and less on the others. Once her discovery was made about him, it felt rushed. I was completely absorbed with this moment and wanted to hear more but ultimately it was interesting book.

In reflection, for my own personal experience and preference for this book, I probably would've enjoyed the book version better. That being said with no criticism of the audiobook because the narration was good. It's just for the type of plot this was and what I'd hope to take away from it, the book would've given that experience for me. You may feel differently and love the audiobook.

Buy on Amazon Kindle | Audible | Hardcover | Paperback | Bookshop.org