Lenore Bennett has always been a force. A star artist and style icon at her high school, she’s a master in the subtle art of not giving a . . . well, you know what. But now that graduation is here, she’s a little less sure.
She’s heading to NYU in the fall with a scarlet U (for “undeclared”) written across her chest. Her parents always remind her that Black kids don’t have the luxury of figuring it out as they go—they have to be 110 percent prepared. But it’s a lot of pressure to be her ancestors’ wildest dreams when Lenore’s not even sure what her dreams are yet.
When her family embarks on a post-graduation Mediterranean cruise, her friend Tessa is sure Lenore’s in for a whirlwind romance. But Lenore knows that doesn’t happen in real life. At least not to girls like her.
Then she meets Alex Lee. After their parents bond over the Cupid Shuffle, she ends up stuck with him for the remainder of the cruise. He’s a hopeless romantic and a golden boy with a ten-year plan. In short, he’s irritating as hell.
But as they get to know each other during the picturesque stops across Europe, he may be able to help her find something else she’s been looking for, even if she doesn’t want to admit it to herself: love.
Review:
Lenore Bennett was a star artist at her school, trying all different forms of art. She’s set to go to NYU to study art history in the fall, but now she’s questioning if that’s the right major for her. After having her heart broken at prom, Lenore has given up on love. But when her and her family go on a Mediterranean cruise, she meets Alex Lee. They get off to a rocky start but their parents become close friends so they spend a lot of time together. Lenore wonders if she could find her one true love in Alex, but she’s wary of getting her heart broken again.
This book is the sequel to Happily Ever Afters. Most of it takes place during Lenore’s family vacation. This was a clever way of telling another character’s story while she is away from her best friend Tessa, the main character of Happily Ever Afters.
I like that the romances in these stories aren’t always an ideal relationship. Both Tessa and Lenore dated boys who made questionable comments, but they brushed them off at the time. A boy that Lenore dated made a racist comment to her, but she pretended like it didn’t happen. It’s easy to brush off a comment that makes you uncomfortable, to avoid a confrontation, especially if you care for the person. However, it’s important to stand up for yourself and remove yourself from any toxic situation or relationship. This is a side of high school relationships that I don’t see portrayed often in books, so I appreciated that it was addressed in this series.
One True Loves is the perfect summer romance story!
Thank you HCC Frenzy for providing a copy of this book.
This blog meme is hosted by Book Date. It is a place to meet up and share what you have been, are and about to be reading over the week. It’s a great post to organize yourself. It’s an opportunity to visit and comment, and er… add to that ever growing TBR pile!
What I just finished:
This weekend I finished One True Loves by Elise Bryant.
What I’m currently reading:
I’m currently reading Gallant by V.E. Schwab.
What I’m reading next:
Next I will be reading The School of Mirrors by Eve Stachniak.
What are you guys reading this week? Have you read any of these books?
The meme that dares to ask what book has been in your bed this morning? Come share what book you’ve spent time curled up reading in bed, or which book you wish you had time to read today! This meme is hosted by Midnight Book Girl.
This Sunday I’m reading One True Loves (Happily Ever Afters #1) by Elise Bryant.
Goodreads Synopsis:
Lenore Bennett has always been a force. A star artist and style icon at her high school, she’s a master in the subtle art of not giving a . . . well, you know what. But now that graduation is here, she’s a little less sure.
She’s heading to NYU in the fall with a scarlet U (for “undeclared”) written across her chest. Her parents always remind her that Black kids don’t have the luxury of figuring it out as they go—they have to be 110 percent prepared. But it’s a lot of pressure to be her ancestors’ wildest dreams when Lenore’s not even sure what her dreams are yet.
When her family embarks on a post-graduation Mediterranean cruise, her friend Tessa is sure Lenore’s in for a whirlwind romance. But Lenore knows that doesn’t happen in real life. At least not to girls like her.
Then she meets Alex Lee. After their parents bond over the Cupid Shuffle, she ends up stuck with him for the remainder of the cruise. He’s a hopeless romantic and a golden boy with a ten-year plan. In short, he’s irritating as hell.
But as they get to know each other during the picturesque stops across Europe, he may be able to help her find something else she’s been looking for, even if she doesn’t want to admit it to herself: love.
Title: Not the Kind of Earl You Marry (The Unconventional Ladies of Mayfair #1) Author: Kate Pembrooke Genre: Historical Fiction, Romance Publisher: Forever Source: Publisher Format: Paperback Release Date: July 27, 2021 Rating: ★★★★
Goodreads Synopsis:
Fans of Netflix’s Bridgerton series will adore this stunning historical romance debut, where a wary wallflower enters a fake engagement with one of London’s most eligible bachelors.
The one woman in London who doesn’t want to marry him is now his fiancée.
William Atherton, Earl of Norwood, is as shocked as the rest of London to discover his betrothal via an announcement in the morning paper. Furious at what appears to be a shrewd marriage trap, William tracks down his alleged fiancée before her plans can affect his campaign for a coveted political post. But then William realizes an engagement, however fake, may benefit them both…
Miss Charlotte Hurst may be a wallflower, but she’s no shrinking violet. She would never attempt such an underhanded scheme, especially not with a man as haughty or sought-after as Norwood. Yet his suggestion to play along with the betrothal has its merits… and the longer they pretend, the more undeniably real their feelings become. But when the true culprit behind their engagement is revealed, can their newfound happiness survive the scandal?
Review:
When their engagement is announced one morning in the society pages, Charlotte Hurst and William Atherton, Earl of Norwood decide to continue with a fake engagement despite never having met before that morning. William is up for a position in government, and he thinks this fake engagement announcement is part of a plot to destroy his reputation. Charlotte never expected to be attached to an Earl, but she is able to use her new spot beside him to do some good in the community. However, when their feelings for each other become real, they have to figure out who put them in this position so they can finally have a real relationship.
This story was a fun regency romance. Fake dating/fake engagement is my favourite romance trope. It leaves a lot of room for misunderstandings and tension. This story was also a slow burn romance.
I didn’t find the mystery of who put the fake notice of their engagement in the paper too suspenseful. I was hoping there would be a sneaky reason it was placed there, but the reveal wasn’t a surprise. Despite the lack of surprise, it was still an intriguing premise.
Not the Kind of Earl You Marry is a fun regency romance!
Thank you Forever for providing a copy of this book.
What to read next:
Say You’ll Be My Lady by Kate Pembrooke
How to Survive a Scandal by Samara Parish
Other books in the series:
Say You’ll Be My Lady
Have you read Not the Kind of Earl You Marry? What did you think of it?
Title: A Song of Secrets (Hana Trio #1) Author: Jayci Lee Genre: Romance, Contemporary Publisher: Harlequin Desire Source: Publisher Format: Paperback Release Date: January 25, 2022 Rating: ★★★★
Goodreads Synopsis:
Her secret tore them apart. Will his secret reunite them?
World-renowned cellist Angie Han is desperate to save her trio’s chamber music society. So when she discovers that her ex Joshua Shin is the anonymous composer setting the classical music world on fire, she asks for his help. The sexy musician agrees to an uneasy truce to protect his secret success. But when their passion reignites, Angie’s own secrets may be exposed. Will Joshua ever trust her again? And will what’s keeping them apart ever lead them to happily-ever-after?
Review:
Angie Han is a world-renowned cellist who is trying to save her chamber music society after they were shut down for so long during the pandemic. While listening to classical music on the radio one night, she recognizes the piece by an anonymous new composer as her ex-boyfriend Joshua Shin. She approaches him to write a piece for their season premiere performance, and he asks her to perform her music for his ill grandfather in return. They start to question why they separated in the first place as they spend more time together. They must figure out if they will stay together once their performances are done.
This book is set in the (hopefully) near future, after the pandemic is over. I appreciated the way that this story showed how the pandemic affected arts industries. The music society that Angie belongs to is in danger of closing because they couldn’t perform during the pandemic. The arts industries have been affected, among other industries, since there weren’t performances, gallery showings, or other events during the pandemic. Hopefully the arts performances and events will be able to come back when the world opens up again.
This story was short and sweet. Angie and Joshua were so great together that I had to question why they broke up. The reason was supposed to be that Angie’s father made her choose between Joshua or her family, but it wasn’t clear why he made that ultimatum. She had to choose her family, but I didn’t think it was a believable or concrete ultimatum for her dad to make. Other than that one part, the plot and characters were well developed in this short romance.
A Song of Secrets is a cute romance!
Thank you Harlequin for providing a copy of this book.
What to read next:
A Sweet Mess by Jayci Lee
Temporary Wife Temptation by Jayci Lee
Have you read A Song of Secrets? What did you think of it?
Title: House of Earth and Blood (Crescent City #1) Author: Sarah J. Maas Genre: Fantasy, Romance Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing Source: Purchased Format: Hardcover Release Date: March 3, 2020 Rating: ★★★★★
Goodreads Synopsis:
Bound by blood. Tempted by desire. Unleashed by destiny.
Bryce Quinlan had the perfect life—working hard all day and partying all night—until a demon murdered her closest friends, leaving her bereft, wounded, and alone. When the accused is behind bars but the crimes start up again, Bryce finds herself at the heart of the investigation. She’ll do whatever it takes to avenge their deaths.
Hunt Athalar is a notorious Fallen angel, now enslaved to the Archangels he once attempted to overthrow. His brutal skills and incredible strength have been set to one purpose—to assassinate his boss’s enemies, no questions asked. But with a demon wreaking havoc in the city, he’s offered an irresistible deal: help Bryce find the murderer, and his freedom will be within reach.
As Bryce and Hunt dig deep into Crescent City’s underbelly, they discover a dark power that threatens everything and everyone they hold dear, and they find, in each other, a blazing passion—one that could set them both free, if they’d only let it.
With unforgettable characters, sizzling romance, and page-turning suspense, this richly inventive new fantasy series by #1 New York Times bestselling author Sarah J. Maas delves into the heartache of loss, the price of freedom—and the power of love.
Review:
Bryce Quinlan was a carefree party girl until her best friends were brutally murdered by a demon. Two years later, the investigation of her friends’ murders is reopened when some similar attacks happen. Hunt Athalar is a fallen angel, who is sent to assassinate the enemies of his boss. He’s given a deal to earn his freedom if he helps Bryce find the murderer. Bryce and Hunt butt heads a lot at first, but then they work together to uncover the dark secrets hidden within Crescent City.
I usually read books quickly, but I had to take my time with this one. I loved the world building of Crescent City. It was an urban city, filled with different fantasy creatures and a complex political system.
I went into this book blind and I’m so glad I did. There were some fantastic twists that I didn’t see coming. I fell in love with the characters instantly. Bryce was sassy and determined while dealing with a lot of trauma. I hope we learn more of Hunt’s past in the next book because he seemed complex too.
House of Earth and Blood is definitely worth the hype!
What to read next:
House of Sky and Breath by Sarah J. Maas
From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Other books in the series:
House of Sky and Breath
Have you read House of Earth and Blood? What did you think of it?
TBR Thursday is a weekly meme hosted by Kimberly Faye Reads, where you post a title from your shelf or e-reader and find out what others think about it.
My pick this week is Tess of the Road (Tess of the Road #1) by Rachel Hartman.
Goodreads Synopsis:
Meet Tess, a brave new heroine from beloved epic fantasy author Rachel Hartman.
In the medieval kingdom of Goredd, women are expected to be ladies, men are their protectors, and dragons get to be whomever they want. Tess, stubbornly, is a troublemaker. You can’t make a scene at your sister’s wedding and break a relative’s nose with one punch (no matter how pompous he is) and not suffer the consequences. As her family plans to send her to a nunnery, Tess yanks on her boots and sets out on a journey across the Southlands, alone and pretending to be a boy.
Where Tess is headed is a mystery, even to her. So when she runs into an old friend, it’s a stroke of luck. This friend is a quigutl—a subspecies of dragon—who gives her both a purpose and protection on the road. But Tess is guarding a troubling secret. Her tumultuous past is a heavy burden to carry, and the memories she’s tried to forget threaten to expose her to the world in more ways than one.
Returning to the fascinating world she created in the award-winning and New York Times bestselling Seraphina, Rachel Hartman introduces readers to a new character and a new quest, pushing the boundaries of genre once again in this wholly original fantasy.
Have you read this book? What did you think of it?
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