Romance – Page 2 – Jill's Book Blog

Review: Eat Dessert First

Title: Eat Dessert First
Author: Michelle Paris
Genre: Romance, Contemporary
Publisher: Apprentice House
Source: Bookinfluencers.com
Format: Paperback
Release Date: May 7, 2024
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

Can a plus-sized, big-hearted baker discover the recipe for happiness? Abbey Reilly has heard “you have such a pretty face” enough times to know that it’s code for “if only you’d lose weight.” Giving up her architectural career to care for her ailing mom and working in a bakery to make ends meet, she is convinced no one will ever find her attractive. So she’s stunned when a handsome regular customer not only shows interest but asks her on a date.Devastated when she learns her would-be beau is married, Abbey resigns herself to a lonely future. But the insecure woman can hardly believe her luck when she draws the attention of a dreamy guy at a bachelorette party… until his horrible ex plots revenge. Will Abbey claim the confidence she deserves and find a keeper who recognizes her true beauty?With light humor and loving insight, Michelle Paris weaves a delightful tale of learning to believe in yourself. Juggling elder parent care, tight finances, and hating the image in the mirror, Abbey Reilly will charm any reader fond of rooting for an underdog.Eat Dessert First is a heartwarming work of women’s fiction. If you like relatable heroines, chasing a dream, and finding hope and happiness, then you’ll adore Michelle Paris’ sweet story of fulfillment.

Review:

This is a great romance with a plus-size heroine! I could relate to Abbey’s struggles with her weight and finding a partner who liked her for herself. Abbey was the primary caregiver her mother who had dementia. I helped look after my grandmother who had Alzheimer’s for 9 years, so I could relate to that part of her life too. Abbey was a great baker, so I recommend having some yummy baked goods on hand while reading this book!

Eat Dessert First is a yummy romance!

Thank you Bookinfluencers.com for providing a copy of this book as part of a sponsored campaign!

Content warnings: bullying, dementia, death of parent, hospital scenes, broken bone

Have you read Eat Dessert First? What did you think of it?

Review: Cadence (Lyrical Interludes #3)

Title: Cadence (Lyrical Interludes #3)
Author: Claire Davon
Genre: Romance, Contemporary
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Source: Publisher
Format: Ebook
Release Date: August 28, 2024
Rating: ★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

From a young age, aspiring musician Jessica Baker has made it a point to never rely on anyone other than herself. After all, in her experience, people, along with success, are both fleeting. However, when Kai Halara joins her tour, all of her preconceived notions are demolished.

Kai is a failure in the eyes of his industry. Intending to use Jessica’s tour as a distraction while he determines his next move, he’s soon at war with himself. His mind tells him to stay away, but his heart—and body—demand the opposite.

Can their happiness survive when misunderstandings collide with electric attraction, and past drama resurges to threaten to destroy all they have created?

Review:

This was a steamy, fast-paced romance! It’s part of a series, but I read it as a standalone and I didn’t have any problems. It’s a short book so it didn’t take me long to read. I felt like the ending was kind of rushed though. The way the romance ended didn’t feel realistic to me.

Cadence is a great music-themed romance!

Thank you The Wild Rose Press for providing a copy of this book as part of a paid campaign!

Content warnings: alcoholism

Other books in the series:

Reprise (Lyrical Interludes #1)
Overture (Lyrical Interludes #2)

Have you read Cadence? What did you think of it?

Review: The Price of Truth

Title: The Price of Truth
Author: Michele Clarizio
Genre: Young Adult, Thriller, Romance
Publisher: Ciao Bella Publishing
Source: iRead Book Tours
Format: Ebook
Release Date: June 15, 2025
Rating: ★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

Seventeen-year-old Karis Russo is no stranger to pain. Still reeling from her father’s death, she’s weighted down by grief she can’t seem to outrun. But nothing prepares her for the night that upends her life once again.

After attending the grand opening of The Aragon Luxury Resort and Spa, Karis wakes up bloody and bruised with no memory of what happened. Determined to find the truth, she embarks on a relentless quest for answers.

Her investigation takes a surprising turn when she learns Mason Whitman, practically Duncan High “royalty”, has harbored a crush on her for years. His charm and their undeniable chemistry throw her into a tailspin. Caught between piecing together the night she lost and embracing the possibility of love she never saw coming, Karis convinces herself she can juggle both worlds.

But the deeper she digs into the mystery of that fateful night, the darker the truth becomes. As shocking betrayals surface and long-buried secrets claw their way to the light, Karis realizes the price of truth may cost more than she’s willing to pay.

Review:

This was a fast-paced and suspenseful YA story! There was a mystery around what happened with Karis one night when she was assaulted because she had lost her memory. She had to learn what happened to her along with the reader. The story was quite intense at the end, with a lot of twists. I really enjoyed this book!

The Price of Truth is a fast-paced YA book!

Thank you iRead Book Tours for providing a copy of this book for a paid campaign!

Content warnings: death of parent (off page), suicide (off page), sexual assault, animal death

Have you read The Price of Truth? What did you think of it?

Review: The Duke’s Decision

Title: The Duke’s Decision
Author: Carolina Prescott
Genre: Historical Fiction, Romance
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Source: Publisher
Format: Ebook
Release Date: January 25, 2021
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

While gathering research for the puzzles she sells to newspapers, Vivian, the widowed Viscountess Rowden, literally stumbles across the arrogant Duke of Whitley. Whit, known to the ton as the Ice Duke, is spymaster for the Crown, and he has evidence of enemy agents using newspaper ciphers to send coded messages to Napoleon’s army. His mission is clear—less clear are his feelings for the woman he may have to destroy. While Vivian struggles to put the past behind her and find a future where her heart can be safe, the duke must decide whether the lovely and independent viscountess is friend, foe, or fate.

Review:

This was a great historical romance! I liked that Vivian was assertive and intelligent. She made puzzles for the newspaper, which no one suspected were written by a woman. There was some suspense, but there was also a steamy romance! Even though it is part of a series, it can be read as a stand-alone. I had fun reading this book!

The Duke’s Decision is a steamy historical romance!

Thank you The Wild Rose Press for providing a copy of this b ook as part of a paid campaign!

Content warnings: death, adultery

Have you read The Duke’s Decision? What did you think of it?

Review: Shadows and Light

Title: Shadows and Light
Author: Tanya Cimone
Genre: Romance, Fantasy
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Source: Publisher
Format: Ebook
Release Date: September 25, 2024
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

Since childhood, Nyssa has been accompanied by ethereal melodies that haunt her and sinister Shadows that follow her every move. Shunned from her stepfather’s secretive business of curating art for the occult, her brother, Micah, and her best friend, Isabelle, are the anchors of her sheltered life.

But when demons crawl out of the underworld and capture Isabelle, Nyssa risks her own life to rescue her, determined to find the demon responsible. She quickly learns that trust is fickle as a demon’s bargain. When mysterious club owner Sam offers to help, and demons try taking her down, Nyssa hedges her bets.

She will dance with the Devil and bargain if it means saving her best friend. But will Nyssa save Isabelle and escape the Devil’s charm? Or will the darkness that’s always trailed behind finally claim her…revealing secrets that were meant to stay buried?

Review:

This was a great story! It had some fantasy, romance, and thriller aspects. There were some elements of a dark romance, with demons and angels, but it didn’t get dark or horrific. It was a fast-paced read with some exciting twists. The idea of fate and destiny was explored a little, as well as reincarnation, which I find interesting. I was on the edge of my seat for most of this book!

Shadows and Light is a thrilling romance!

Thank you The Wild Rose Press for providing a copy of this book as part of a paid campaign!

Content warnings: death, kidnapping, references to blood, knife violence

Have you read Shadows and Light? What did you think of it?

Review: Haunted Gem

Title: Haunted Gem
Author: Gabriella Lucas
Genre: Mystery, Romance, Contemporary
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Source: Publisher
Format: Ebook
Release Date: February 24, 2025
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

She talks to ghosts. He talks to God.

Gemma Martelli knows where all the bodies are buried—and she talks to their spirits to help detectives solve cases. All she needs is a piece of jewelry from the deceased to make contact. When a detective asks for her help on a cold case, the unsolved murder of Judith Walsh, she’s eager to get involved … until she finds out who the young woman was engaged to—Reverend Luke Bailey, the man Gemma is crazy about.

Luke wants to move on from the tragic loss of his fiancé, and he’s falling for Gemma. But how will he feel when he discovers that it’s Judith’s spirit she’s talking to?

Review:

I’ve always loved stories about people who can talk to ghosts. I liked the premise in this story, that Gem could communicate with ghosts through their jewelry from when they were alive. It was the perfect technique for a jeweler. The mystery she had to help the police solve was intriguing and fast paced. I really enjoyed reading this mystery!

Haunted Gems is a great mystery!

Thank you The Wild Rose Press and Bookinfluencers.com for providing a copy of this book as part of a paid campaign!

Content warnings: death, stabbing, gun violence, parental abandonment

Have you read Haunted Gem? What did you think of it?

Review: Cursed Princess Club, Vol. 2

Title: Cursed Princess Club, Vol. 2
Author: LambCat
Genre: Graphic Novel, Romance, Young Adult
Publisher: Webtoon Unscrolled
Source: Purchased
Format: Paperback
Release Date: July 4, 2023
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

Just because you’re cursed doesn’t mean you’re not special.

Gwendolyn, the youngest of the King’s three daughters, is living proof that princesses don’t always have it all. She isn’t like a typical fairy-tale princess, or other princesses in the Pastel Kingdom. Gwendolyn, with her big heart and love of baking, isn’t particularly attractive. Unlike her sisters who have woodland creatures do their hair and makeup, or have flowers blossom wherever they sleep, Gwendolyn is a bit…different. So when her father proposes marriage for her and her sisters to make an alliance with the Plaid Kingdom, it breaks Gwendolyn’s heart to hear that Prince Frederick thinks she’s “really ugly.” Overwhelmed and ashamed, she runs away into the forest and encounters the twisted world of the Cursed Princess Club, where her life will never be the same.

The Cursed Princess Club are a ragtag band of outcasts, misfits and cursed princesses who have created an incredible friendship circle. It is among these friends where Gwendolyn learns to embrace her uniqueness and find her people.

In this second book of the series, we learn low self esteem isn’t just for girls! Meet the Princels―princes who have shunned society not because of curses (although one has to wonder…) but because of their own insecurities about their physical appearance and their inability to find romantic partners. And then we have Prince Frederick, who starts to worry if he even deserves Gwen. Plus, you too can learn to be as pretty as a Cursed Princess!

Review:

This series is so fun! Gwen has joined the Cursed Princess Club because she is always treated differently from her traditionally beautiful sisters. Now, when Gwen looks in a mirror, she can’t see her face, so she has to figure out how to fix this problem. Even though there are some serious and emotional parts, with the way Gwen is bullied, there were many laugh out loud moments too!

Cursed Princess Club, Vol. 2 is a fun graphic novel!

Other books in the series:

Cursed Princess Club, Vol. 1
Cursed Princess Club, Vol. 3
Cursed Princess Club, Vol. 4

Have you read Cursed Princess Club, Vol. 2? What did you think of it?

Review: Last Prom Standing

Title: Last Prom Standing
Author: R.H. Bird
Genre: Young Adult, Romance
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Source: Publisher
Format: Ebook
Release Date: July 21, 2025
Rating: ★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

After surviving the most insane prom day ever, Luca and Piper are madly in love. Only one problem. She’s going off to college while he’s still in high school. They swear to weather the challenges of a long-distance relationship. But on her first day, Luca notices the college guys already circling. When his senior-year starts, the new girl has her sights set on him. Meanwhile, he needs to win a state championship against an unbeatable opponent or kiss his wrestling scholarship good-bye.

Will Luca and Piper be dancing under the stars at his prom, or will the pressures of love and life tear them apart?

Review:

This book is a great sequel to Promposal. Even though it’s a sequel, it could be read as a stand-alone. I liked that these two stories are told from the perspective of the male love interest. I haven’t read many straight romances that are from the male perspective, so it’s an original POV.

Last Prom Standing is a great YA romance!

Thank you The Wild Rose Press and Bookinfluencers.com for providing a copy of this book as part of a paid campaign!

Other books in the series:

Promposal

Have you read Last Prom Standing? What did you think of it?

Review: The Duke’s Denial

Title: The Duke’s Denial
Author: Carolkina Prescott
Genre: Historical Fiction, Romance
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Source: Publisher
Format: Ebook
Release Date: March 31, 2025
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

What do you do when your almost-fiancé forgets all about you? You go as far away as you can, bury yourself in work, and try to forget about him—at least that’s what Lady Genevieve Richards is determined to do. Eve has heard nothing from Hill, the Duke of Camberton, since he was called back to London, but rumor has it that he’s back to his old philandering ways. In truth, Hill is on a secret to uncover the identity of Monsieur Jones, Napoleon’s notorious spymaster and set a trap for his capture. But Jones has set his own trap—for Eve. Hill is desperate to find Eve and warn her, but when he does, will she ever trust him again?

Review:

This was a spicy historical romance! It’s part of a series but it can be read as a stand-alone, as I haven’t read the rest of the series, and I understood and enjoyed it. The events of the past books were briefly referred to by the other characters. It was a short and fast paced story with some spicy scenes towards the end!

The Duke’s Denial is a great spicy historical romance!

Thank you The Wild Rose Press and Bookinfluencers.com for providing a copy of this book as part of a paid campaign!

Content warnings: death, gun violence, knife violence, death of parent (off page)

Have you read The Duke’s Denial? What did you think of it?

Review: Boyfriends, Vol. 1

Title: Boyfriends, Vol. 1
Author: Refrainbow
Genre: Graphic Novel, LGBTQ, Romance
Publisher: Wattpad Books
Source: Publisher
Format: Paperback
Release Date: November 21, 2023
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

Boy meets boy . . . meets boy . . . meets boy!

Jock, Goth, Nerd, and Prep are all juniors in college. But studying is the last thing on their minds as they are mainly interested in getting a boyfriend. Or multiple boyfriends.

The first two to couple up are Goth (cool and sexy) and Nerd (bubbly and flirty). As their budding relationship deepens, they can’t deny their chemistry with Goth’s other friends, Jock (sweet and easygoing) and Prep (sensitive and anxious). Nerd suggests they try something totally brand new to all of a polyamorous relationship. Everyone’s game to try, because they all agree the only thing better than one cute boyfriend…is three cute boyfriends!

But the transition isn’t so smooth, as Jock and Prep have issues of their own to settle, and all four need to learn how to make their new polycule work. Through navigating the adventures of dating life, the boyfriends come to understand themselves and each other in new and profound ways.

Laugh-out-loud funny and always heartwarming, Boyfriends is filled to the brim with moments of pride big and small.

Collects episodes 1–55 of the delightful WEBTOON comic Boyfriends .

Review:

This was such a fun graphic novel! It follows four boys in college who like each other. They decide to have a polyamorous relationship with each other. It wasn’t until halfway through the book that I realized none of them had names. Instead, they each had a distinct style: Goth, Nerd, Jock, Prep. The four of them were so sweet to each other! I can’t wait to read the next book!

Boyfriends, Vol. 1 is a cute graphic novel!

Thank you Wattpad Books for sending me a copy of this book!

Other books in the series:

Boyfriends, Vol. 2
Boyfriends, Vol. 3

Have you read Boyfriends, Vol. 1? What did you think of it?