Review: Storm Cloud by J.S. Jasper

About the Book

Even if it’s difficult sometimes, Sophie loves the winter.

The bright sunny days that are few and far between, the crisp morning air and the blush on people’s cheeks. It’s her favourite time of year. On the tough days, the days when the sky is so dark she wonders if she’s stuck in perpetual night time- all she really needs to see is the sun.

Though she’ll never tell anyone that.

Not until he walks into her bookstore.

And Sophie decides he looks like sunshine.

Review

Storm Cloud felt like a cozy Hallmark, low-stakes novella. It was cute, charming, and sometimes predictable. I enjoyed myself while reading. The author does a very good job of establishing Sophie as a character. Right from the beginning, it’s very clear who Sophie is as a character, and her reasoning for being hesitant about Lukas is obvious. Most novellas try to skip out on character development and focus on getting to the romance. This would not operate that way. I’m thankful. I enjoyed Sophie as a character.

Unfortunately, Lukas does not get as much development as Sophie. He felt very much like the “perfect book boyfriend” and didn’t feel quite as fleshed out as Sophie. Despite that, I did enjoy him and their romance.

Final Thoughts

Storm Cloud is a cozy, refreshing read—fitting since it mainly takes place within a bookstore. 

Buy on Amazon Kindle | Paperback

Review: Rival Romeo by Tyla Walker

What do you do when you have to choose between love or family?

All Geneva wants to do is continue her grandfather’s vision of giving unconditional love to animals who don’t get it from anyone else. Their animal shelter has become a home to both of them that she’s determined to continue for the rest of her life. She wants to rescue as many animals as possible.

All Oswald Stork wants to do is make his family proud and show them that their sacrifices have made him successful. And he gets a chance with the deal of a lifetime that will cement his family’s real estate company as the most successful firm in the city. All it means to him is ensuring that Geneva and her grandfather and all her animals move out.

You can already tell these two are gonna lock horns.

But are they gonna do more than that afterwards? Because each of them is so focused on bringing pride to their family, they may not see they’re falling in love with each other.

Will they continue the fight for their family? Or will they abandon their family’s dreams in the name of love?

Review

The synopsis of Rival Romeo promises a different book than what occurs.  Geneva and Oswald didn’t feel like rivals. Nor were there any grand conflicted feelings of going against their families. Instead, what happened was Oswald followed the orders of his parents. He doesn’t question their orders. Geneva gets upset with the Stork family; however, she doesn’t truly put up a fight. Her emotions regarding the animals felt stronger than her desire to fight for her family. There is an emotional moment that occurs with a few dogs that she is close with. I think that was the strongest moment within the story. The author spends a lot of time “telling,” and with that scene, they “showed.”

There’s a much better version of this book that focuses entirely on Geneva and her crusade against Oswald’s family. I would have much preferred that rather than having them fall in love. The two of them lacked chemistry, and their story felt stiff.

Final Thoughts

Rival Romeo was a disappointing romance novella without excitement and chemistry between the leads.

Review: Wide Side by Elsie Silver

About the Book

She's always dreamed of her wedding day. And those dreams never included saying "I do" to a man she hates.

But when Tabitha's nephew's guardianship is contested, she decides she'll do whatever it takes to keep him in Rose Hill. Even if it means marrying the enemy.

Rhys Dupris.

A man who is secretive, broody, and completely infuriating. A man whose work takes him away for weeks on end and brings him back covered in mysterious bruises―ones he won't talk about. In fact, Tabitha and Rhys barely talk at all.

Which would be fine, except when he's not talking, he's staring. And the way he looks at her is borderline indecent.

The tension between them has always been palpable. But living under the same roof is a dangerous temptation.

Tabitha swore she would never forgive him. But that was before she knew the man behind the mask. The one who's fierce and protective. The one who's gentle and patient. The one who shows up for her and her nephew when they need him most.

He's not at all who she thought he was.

And that makes hating her husband so much harder…and loving him just a little too easy.

Review

It’s been a few days since I’ve finished this book and it’s been circling my thoughts since I finished it. Wild Side is the best book within the Rose Hill series, and it’s tied at the top for my favorite Elsie Silver book. Words cannot describe how much I loved this one. It might be a bold statement since it’s still early in the year, but this is my favorite read of the year. I give this one infinite stars.

I would love to thank Elsie Silver personally for creating Rhys and Tabby. I’ll admit that they were not my most anticipated couple within this series. But boy, did they surprise me. In the previous books, readers only know that Tabby dislikes Rhys. We don’t know the extent of their relationship until their book. Tabby’s older sister was Rhys’ tenant, and after she passed, he became the legal guardian of her adorable son, Milo. Tabby is livid about that. Rightfully so, she believes that Rhys evicted her sister and played a part in her death. There’s more to the story, and Rhys and Tabby put aside their differences to ensure that Milo is cared for. With that comes fun, witty banter, to-die-for chemistry, and several heartfelt moments.

Tabby’s still dealing with the emotions of losing her sister to addiction and the complicated relationship that her sister had with their parents. It took her a while to cry, and when she finally did cry, it was a dagger to the heart. She’d do anything for those she loves and is fierce and strong. She had no problem standing up to Rhys—for instance, getting Milo a cat when Rhys had lied and said he was allergic. She’s by far my favorite FMC within this series. I would pay Elsie to give me more of Tabby. I would pay triple for more of Tabby, Rhys, AND Milo. I loved this family so much.

Rhys is the perfect companion for Tabby. Outwardly, he’s a quiet, tough guy. But on the inside, such a softie. He and Milo have such an adorable relationship, and it was very clear he’d do anything for that little boy—like Tabby would. Rhys didn’t have a perfect childhood, and as an adult, he worked hard to have a private life and excel at his craft. It was beautiful how everyone welcomed him to their lives at Rose Hill and how supportive they were of him. Yes, I did cry, especially during a scene when Rhys discovers they all had gathered to watch him on television. This was my first time reading a wrestler romance story, and I’m completely sold. Of course, that could only be because of Rhys Dupris. Regardless, I enjoyed that aspect of the book.

Final Thoughts

I’d give Wild Side infinite stars if I could. My expectations were exceeded, and there were several moments when I cried or almost cried. Tabby and Rhys had a beautiful love story and were absolutely perfect together—special kudos to the found family of it all.

Buy on Amazon Kindle | Audible | Paperback

Review: The Forgotten One by Catherine Bybee

Catherine Bybee brings us back to the Stones with the second book in The Heirs series, The Forgotten One. This novel delivers a blend of family drama, unexpected wealth, and sizzling attraction.

At the heart of the story is Sarah McNeilly, a journalist known for uncovering truths rather than creating sensationalized stories.Given the task to find Maximillian Smith, prepared to do what needs to be done wasn’t prepared to find a man whose life was turned upside down overnight. 

Max, once just a regular guy, suddenly finds himself part of the billionaire Stone family, facing the kind of scrutiny he never imagined. And with Sarah in his course, the chemistry between them is undeniable.

The chemistry between Sara and Max was a slow burn romance that developed beautifully. Beyond the romance, the novel is packed with family mysteries, high-stakes revelations, and deep emotional moments as Max uncovers his past and what it truly means to belong. The transition of the familial relationship between Alex, Chase added another dimension to the story that gave it depth and authenticity. 

Once again another novel by Catherine Bybee that just is such a wonderful read. So far this has been a good series. I’m on the fence if I should say you can read as a standalone but there are some key facts that would make the transition easier into book two, so I would recommend starting with All Our Tomorrows. If you are a fan of romantic suspense, billionaire drama, and warm second chances you will enjoy this book. If you’ve been following the series, make sure you keep your eyes open for the third concluding book, No More Yesterdays. 

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

Review: Taylor Swift is Life by Kathleen Perricone

“Written by Kathleen Perricone, this is truly an inside look at Taylor Swift. From her songs to her clothes to her history and even, some fun things just for fans, this book is honestly one of the coolest ones I’ve read this year.” ―Culturess

Celebrate your best Swiftie life with this gorgeously illustrated, all-encompassing fan book on everything there is to know and love about the modern icon that is Taylor Swift.

From her first vocal lessons at age nine, to learning the guitar at twelve, to becoming the most downloaded women on Spotify, and then breaking the internet with her Eras Tour, Taylor Swift has rocked the music scene and captured the hearts of fans across the globe. Gathering her incredible life story, music, and fan culture all in one place, Taylor Swift Is Life captures her epic achievements, brilliant lyrics, and her incredible ability to connect with her fans like no other musician before her.

This treasure trove of essential Swiftie knowledge includes:

· A full biography capturing her early inspiration and first performances through her through her sensational 2023-2024 Eras Tour

· A full discography of Taylor’s music, including the significance of each album personally and professionally, the meaning behind every Track 5, and all the hidden Easter eggs and symbolism behind the songs.

· Swiftology, or Taylor A to Z, covering significant words, imagery, and people in Taylor’s life that every Swiftie should know, from arm poetry to maple lattes, and polaroids to Zoë Kravitz

· Taylorscopes for every sign, to find out how your stars align with Swift’s music, and learn which Taylor song represents you

Both a tribute to our beloved Tay and a chic showpiece for any well-appointed bookshelf, Taylor Swift Is Life is a must-have title for every true Swiftie.

The Modern Icons series takes you on a journey through the lives and legacies of cultural icons who have shaped our world, from fashion to music to media. With original illustrations and meticulously crafted prose, this series captivates and enlightens, offering a glimpse into the personalities whose unparalleled charm and authenticity have left an indelible mark on popular culture.

Review

This book would be perfect for any Taylor Swift fan or anyone looking to get into her music. I appreciated that the author spent little time on rumors and presented the information. She had direct quotes from Taylor and others and even included album statistics. I wouldn’t consider this a full biography. Instead, I’d consider it an introduction to Taylor and her fandom.

One of my favorite things about this book was the sections dedicated to the albums. For each album, the author gave an overall breakdown, including sales, track lists, inspiration, and creative direction. The Tortured Poets Department is one of my favorite albums, and I enjoyed learning more about it.

Final Thought

Taylor Swift is Life might be small, but there is so much material packed into the pages. From the history of Taylor Swift to Easter eggs to album insight, there is so much here for any Swift fan to enjoy. Not to mention, the artwork is gorgeous, and it’s all very easy to read.

Buy on Amazon Kindle | Hardcover | Bookshop.org

Review: High Hopes by Ki Stephens

About the Book

BIRDIE Collins has a plan: finish her junior year in Dayton U’s competitive 3D4M program and secure a coveted arts fellowship. But since a car accident left her battling anxiety and chronic pain, keeping it together has become an uphill climb. The very last thing she needs? A distraction—especially not from a loudmouthed, overly-charming soccer player.

LIAM Donovan is the carefree jokester everyone assumes he is. As a star right winger on Dayton’s D1 soccer team, he’s always ready with a sarcastic remark or teasing grin. But the nonstop banter? It’s a cover for the heavy weight of family expectations he struggles to bear. He doesn’t have time for a complicated artist who sees straight through his defenses.

When Birdie and Liam’s paths collide, what starts as a reluctant partnership quickly turns into something deeper. Late-night study sessions melt into midnight confessions, and they find themselves drawn into each other’s worlds in ways they never expected.

As the final stretch of soccer season heats up and Birdie’s fellowship deadline looms, they’ll have to decide if they’re willing to take a chance on each other. Because sometimes, leaning on someone else isn’t a sign of weakness—it’s a leap of faith.

Review

I have read all but one of Ki Stephens’ books. I’ve learned what to expect from her; colossal disappointment is never it. All the books have a certain feel to them. It feels soft, intimate, and quiet—which can sometimes cause the books to hit a low point. The romance is always cute and fluffy—lovable main characters with a natural progression. They feel nice, safe, and soft. That isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Stephens is a great writer, and I’d like her to try something new and not-so-safe.

With all that being said, High Hopes is my favorite of hers. It’s a standard Ki Stephens contempt romance; however, Birdie and Liam felt elevated. Both have several layers and are trying the best they can. Birdie is a dedicated and passionate ceramist who wants peace and a break. Birdie’s dealing with PTSD and grief while trying to earn a spot at a fellowship as her finances deplete. She’s isolated herself, and her old friends have abandoned her because they didn’t understand what she was going through after her car crash. She truly has no one. Spoiler alert--  she and her roommate become closer, and their friendship is beautiful, adorable, and fun.

Liam is a pathological people-pleaser whose parents make him feel like he’s not enough and try to dictate his life. He wants to play professional soccer, though that isn’t what his parents want for him. In a way, both have hidden their true selves from the world. They are silently suffering, and only when they find each other does someone finally see them. They have a genuine, comfortable friendship that turns into a sweet, endearing romance. There are so many small and thoughtful moments between them that really helped elevate them as a couple. Stephens built an emotional connection with them that met my expectations.

Final Thoughts

High Hopes has the classic soft love romance that one can expect from a Ki Stephens book. This is an art that she has mastered. Birdie and Liam are wonderful characters who deserve a big hug.

Buy on Amazon