Review: When Gracie Met The Grump by Mariana Zapata

Of all the things that could have landed in her yard… it had to be him.

For most people, finding a half-naked superbeing in their yard might be a dream come true.

Unfortunately for Gracie Castro, it’s the exact opposite.

Especially when he’s grouchy, rude, and shows no signs of leaving anytime soon.

But when a hero of mankind needs you, you do what you have to.

Even if it compromises everything you know.

And totally changes your life.

Review

When Gracie Met the Grump surprised me. Before reading, I was unsure how Mariana Zapata would write a contemporary superhero romance story. I was expecting some alien type invasion conflict or the entire world is at rest and that is how Gracie met the hero. None of that happens. Compared to several other superhero stories, this one is very grounded and low scale.  The premise is that one day, a hero named the Defender lands in Gracie’s yard, and she must nurse him back to health. Considering that she’s been on the run her entire life, this isn’t a good thing. Other things happen along the way, but that’s how the story begins.

I struggled with the romance between Gracie and The Defender. He is the grump in the title. No questions asked, obviously. And in case anyone forgets who the grump is referring to, he would remind them in a matter of pages. He was the worst at times. Especially to Gracie who was just trying to help. I was a little worried in the beginning that there was no way I was going to like this man at the end of the book. The personality besides being a jerk was barely there, and he just didn’t seem redeemable. 

I think once they got out of her house and interacted with other people, I really started to see the connection between them two. And that really heighted my enjoyment. This is clearly a slow burn story, but the first 200 pages of this book could have been condensed, and it still would have told the same story—just better and shorter.

What I loved about their romance were the moments where they had just become friends and started opening up to each other and trusting each other more. It was towards the middle/end of the book, and it made me completely forget about what had happened in the beginning. Unfortunately, The Defender does do something stupid at the end of the book which was eye roll worthy and I guess his excuse/apology was fine.  

Another criticism is that it’s a book about a superhero, but it feels too watered down and his unique world wasn’t really explored. The Defender could have had any other profession and the story would have worked. However, I think the set up and the reveal of his backstory was nice. It’s just there could have been more.

Final Thoughts

When Gracie Met the Grump was entertaining mostly. It does have a hard task of making a believable love story when the love interest is a jerk, and it does suffer from repetition in both dialogue and internal thoughts. I’m not sure how many times I’ve read him telling her not to cry because it smelled funny, but I’m sure it was a lot.

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Review: Accidentally Amy by Lynn Painter

Summary

IT STARTED WITH A CUP…

Isabella Shay is usually a very honest person. But when she’s running late for her first day at a dream job and the barista yells for “Amy” 3x with no answer, she does the unthinkable.

Izzy takes that PSL.

It’s the exact drink she ordered and paid for, only waaaay further ahead in the line, so she mutters “I’m Amy” and grabs the cup. But when she turns around and runs directly into the most attractive man she’s ever seen, spilling the drink all over his GQ shirt and tie, she ends up having the ultimate meet-cute. Sparks fly and things feel beyond promising until he says the words, “See you tomorrow, Amy.”

Uh, oh – she’ll definitely have to straighten him out the following day.

Only when she gets to her new office and meets the VP of her department, it is none other than Blake Phillips - the hottie from Starbucks. And the man might’ve been charming to “Amy,” but he is an arrogant grump to Izzy, an arrogant grump who dos not find her explanation funny at all.

MEET CUTE + GRUMPY/SUNSHINE + FRIENDS-TO-LOVERS = ACCIDENTALLY AMY

Review

This was lighthearted fun. From the first page, I was entertained. This is my second book that I’ve read from Lynn Painter, and I’m noticing that she’s really good about writing a great meet cute along with an entertaining fresh story. It’s rom-com perfection. A great meet cute, along with coincidental meetings and the two main characters being like “oh no we have to stay away” but that never works because they just fit so good together. There’s a dash of the miscommunication trope that doesn’t overstay it’s welcome but adds a bit of drama.

Iz is the definition of a walk chaos. Loved her. And Blake is a straight-laced businessman. It’s a great match, which creates one of the best dynamics. Major grumpy/sunshine vibes…sort of.

Final Thoughts

Accidentally Amy was everything I had expected it to be. It was light and fun with a perfect blend of sweet moments and addictive banter. 

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Review: The Rules of Dating by Penelope Ward and Vi Keeland

Summary

It all started when I hosted a little party for a bunch of new friends.

Though “friends” might not be the right word since the invitees were all the women I’d found out my boyfriend was talking to behind my back. When the guest of honor walked in—aka my now ex—things took a turn…

Unfortunately, a stranger witnessed the whole blowout. I was in a mood that night and ended up giving this gorgeous guy an attitude, too. As if my night could get any worse, before he stormed off, he informed me he was actually my landlord.

Colby Lennon, along with three of his friends, owned the building where my tattoo shop was located. He and I were total opposites. He wore a tie, oozed confidence that came with years of women falling at his feet, and wasn’t afraid to say what he wanted, which lately—was me.

I hated that I found myself attracted to him. Especially since I was supposed to be on a self-imposed dating hiatus. Yet the two of us couldn’t seem to stay away from each other. We started hanging out, as friends. I even went as far as making rules for what he’d dubbed our “undates.

But eventually, our explosive attraction became too much to bear, and we broke our resolve. I let my guard down and started to really fall for Colby.
Nothing could have prepared me for the ride he took me on. And I certainly wasn't prepared for where I'd wind up when the ride was over.

All good things must come to an end, right?

Except our ending was one I didn't see coming.

Review

I have complicated feelings regarding this book. Did I like Colby and Billie together? I don’t know. Let me explain. Something (most likely chemistry) was missing between them. I really appreciated how Billie was, and I understood how she was hesitant to date after what happened to her. What don’t I get is her attraction to Colby outside of physical? Some of the things he said were awkward and it would have made me run the other way. He wasn’t a sworn level romantic lead for me. Him and Billie did have some cute moments between them but most of the time, I was unassumed and bored.

I think what ultimately saved him was his relationship with his daughter—Saylor. Scratch that Saylor saved the entire book. She was adorable, and everyone rightfully loved her. Colby would do anything for his daughter and showed that multiple times throughout the book. And I especially loved how Saylor and Billie built a relationship. The one time I actually cried was between them at the end of the book. It was such a sweet moment, and I think the book earned that moment.

The book really lost me in the second half. There was a new character introduction, and I had some issues with how she was portrayed, and the outcome of that portrayal. I almost wanted to give up, because it dragged on for so long.

Final Thoughts 

The Rules of Dating features an unexciting couple and an unnecessary plot twist that fails at adding entertaining/emotional angst. 

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Review: When It Falls Apart by Catherine Bybee

Summary

From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Catherine Bybee comes a bittersweet romance about the power of love in the face of heartbreak and loss.

Brooke Turner has always had a complicated relationship with her father. But when his health takes a turn for the worse, she drops everything to care for him. He’s her dad, after all, and he needs her. What Brooke doesn’t anticipate is the unraveling of her long-term relationship and a cross-country move to San Diego’s Little Italy.

Luca D’Angelo is the oldest of three children and a single father to a young daughter. When his mother rents the top floor of their house to Brooke, he’s angry. Who is this beautiful stranger with no ties to the neighborhood? Can she be trusted in such close proximity to his family?

As Luca learns of Brooke’s difficult journey with her ailing father, his heart softens. And Brooke, who witnesses Luca’s struggle as a single parent, develops feelings for him, too. But when it all falls apart, will love heal their wounded hearts?

Review

When It All Fall Apart, is the first book of two in The D’Angelos series by Catherine Bybee. This book will takes us through the journey of Brook and Luca.

If you never have had to be in Brooke’s shoes, than you will never understand the weight on your shoulders to make decisions for a parent that has fallen ill. Depending on the relationship you have, it can either be wonderful or in Brooke’s case, a struggle. She didn’t know her father until she was a teenager. He can be challenging at times and with no one other than her, she is left to care for all his needs. Despite their complicated relationship, all they have is each other. After experiencing this latest turn in his health, Brooke decides the best option for them both would be to relate across the country to San Diego.

Things start to look up for Brook when she is offered a place to rent with the D’Angelo family. It gives her a chance to get settled in and be available to help her father. Everything seems to be going well until Luca D’Angelo sees this stranger living with his family and has reservations about trusting her. With assurance from his mother, he eases back and slowly gives her a chance.

As Luca warms up to Brooke and learns about her struggles with her father, he becomes less rigid. As she witnesses his own struggle as being a single dad, their walls begin fall and they find comfort with one another.

When Luca’s past comes and challenges their present, we watch their journey get tested and see if their love is strong enough to keep them whole.

I loved everything about this book. I didn’t want to put it down. There is something special about books surrounding strong families that pull you in and keep you close. You get love, a great family and forgiveness to give it great depth.

Dealing with aging parents is such a sensitive subject that can be complicated. I loved how Catherine captured how so many people feel. That decision to put a parent in a home comes with many emotions depending on the relationship. The relationship between Brooke and her dad was already complicated but the added layer of this new transition in life and the affects emotionally and physically really grab at you.

Beyond that aspect of the book, there are so many of laugh out loud moments with her dad. He has such a great sense of humor. Much attributed to his age with that I don’t care mentality really made me smile.

The fierce loyalty of the D’Angelo family just made you want to be a part of their family. All of them brought collectively something special to the book that complimented the storyline and made you want to not book put the book down. I really just want to pull up a chair and have Sunday dinner with them.

The next book, Be Your Everything will share the journey with Chloe and Dante. I’m looking forward to seeing what happens with these two. This is the pair that was wished upon for their destiny when they were young from their mothers so they better live up to it. Here’s another series to add to that list.

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Review: The Decoy Girlfriend by Lillie Vale

Summary

A laugh-out-loud funny and whip-smart romantic comedy from the author of The Shaadi Set-Up, about a young woman who takes the place of her celebrity doppelgänger, and must fake-date the actress’s sexy costar boyfriend.

Writer Freya Lal has a huge secret: she's a dead ringer for It-girl actress Mandi Roy. Her second novel is due in a month, but inspiration is nowhere to be found. Desperate to shake off her writer's block, Freya leans into her look-alike abilities and indulges in some mistaken identity for simple perks, like scoring a free mimosa or getting into a trendy nightclub. 

Actor Taft Bamber appears to have it all: gorgeous, talented, and Mandi's love interest both on- and off-screen. But what nobody knows is that their relationship is a PR stunt, and after years of playing make-believe, he's yearning for something real. 

When Freya's latest impersonation of Mandi goes viral thanks to Taft's accidental interference, rumors of a breakup threaten Hollywood's golden couple. To make amends, Freya is forced to give Mandi a little time off: she'll pretend to be the actress for a month, move in with Taft, and squash the rumors by acting completely in love. But as Freya and Taft play house, it becomes impossible to ignore that their instant chemistry isn't just for the cameras. While faking it, they might have just found the real thing.

 Review

The Decoy Girlfriend was fun, and I thought that it had a very intriguing concept. Freya is a writer who is suffering from extreme writer’s block and the deadline for her second book is approaching quickly. Her mom, who was her main supporter, has passed, and she is dealing with that grief. She’s moved from NY to La, and sometimes pretends to be the actress Mandi Roy, since people always mix them up.

One day while working at her aunt’s bookshop, Taft, an attractive actor and Mandi’s boyfriend/co-star, walks in. It’s not love at first sight but there’s something there. One night Taft and Freya are accidentally photographed together at a bar, when she was impersonating his girlfriend. The photo makes rounds in the news cycle with speculation that Taft has cheated on Mandi, and Mandi comes up with a plan. While she is off doing whatever, how about Freya pretends to be her for a few weeks. With that comes having to share a house with him, close photoshoots, public appearances and almost kisses.

I was a big fan of all the characters in this book. I want to start by first saying that Mandi was incredible, and so funny. I would love a book in her POV, and I loved that her and Taft had such a strong friendship. On to Taft. I loved him. He was such a sweet character, and almost from the beginning he was bad down for Freya. I’m not sure how Freya resisted him for as long as she did because he was perfect. And vulnerable. And honestly just wanted his friends to call him and hang out. It’s not shocking but Freya was also amazing too. Equally as funny and had a great developmental arc. And I really loved that she had such a caring group of friends surrounding her, and that they all were writers as well and super supportive of each other.

The romance in this book had me giggling and kicking my feet. It was adorable and steamy. Taft and Freya? Great chemistry, great banter. I loved watching them turning his home into their home, and growing more comfortable with each other.

Final Thoughts

The Decoy Girlfriend has a perfect blend between realistic grief, emotional depth, and a great romance. 

Review: A Lot Like Forever by Jennifer Snow

Summary

Whitney Carlisle has everything under control–or at least that’s what she needs everyone in Blue Moon Bay to think. She has always faced the hard times in her life head-on and come out stronger for it. But this time, she isn’t so sure. Whitney knows she needs help, but how can she put that burden on Trent, her fiancé? How can she crush his dreams by telling him the plans they made for a future together have to change?

All Trent Connolly wants is to get married, have kids, and spend the rest of his life loving Whitney. Their relationship has had its share of ups and downs–like any other couple–and they’ve always managed to get through it unscathed. So when Whitney is clearly struggling with something, Trent is ready to help. His fiancée’s strong will is part of what draws him to her–but this time, it feels like it’s pushing him away.

Whatever Whitney is hiding from everyone has to be big. Possibly life-changing. She must believe that revealing her secret would do Trent more harm than good, even if it crushes her under the weight of it. The only thing he can do now is be there for her in whatever way she needs…until a secret of his own comes to light that threatens to steal their chance at forever.

Review

To my deepest disappointment, this is the last book in the Blue Moon Bay series. It's been a wonderful journey and I'm so glad that this book ended with Whitney and Trent. After the last book, Whitney left me feeling concerned about her with questions on my mind that I desperately needed answers to. Told through the perspective of the past and present, we follow the journey between Whitney and Trent leaving us with a bittersweet ending concluding our time in this beautiful small town.

Out of all the ladies in the series, I really took a liking to Whitney. Partly because I see so much of myself in her, which made me like her instantly. She is a people pleaser that works hard to get any task done at whatever cost, especially when it comes to her health and happiness. She represents so many women out there who don't see how amazing they are and never ask for help especially when it's desperately needed. So, when someone like Trent comes along, you desperately root for her hea because she deserves someone that will love her unconditionally and want to be by her side no matter what.

I love Trent. He is the type of guy that grew up into a better, wiser person. You know, young and wild but older and wiser. All it took was to meet the right person and life changed for him. He's got a great supporting family that also loves Whitney and amazing friends that give the balance to his life that make him a likable character. He works hard and loves Whitney.

These two were made for each other. In their story, it literally has ups and downs but they are the testament of the power of the strength of how much someone can love another. There are some revelations and heartbreak in this book but ultimately we see why these two were meant to be together.

Overall, this was my favorite but without bias, this book was supposed to be the final. I love how she wrapped up everything and gave the closure that we deserved and needed. This was a really nice conclusion to a wonderful series. It gives you love, friendship and the joy of a great family. For those who have followed along with this series, you will love how this ends. If you are new to the series, please start from the beginning to absorb all aspects of the book. You will be able to follow how their stories intertwine in each other's lives.

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