A long post and a lot of thoughts. That’s what you’ll find today here.

This month I felt called to grab some quotes I enjoyed from the books I read. Will I always? We’ll see but I’ve been able to remember on all the books so far this month. Sometimes a quote helps others to want to read something – I know I feel that way when I see Bookstagram posts.

Additionally, I realize sometimes I round up or I just feel like a book is 5 stars. Sometimes those 5 stars I give books aren’t equal to other 5 stars I give out. But when I give a 5 star rating, sometimes it’s like a 5+ rating. It hit it out of the park for me. Usually, I’ll be talking nonsense and basically saying explicitly this is my new favorite books for so and so reason and this book stuck with me.

Just some random thoughts I’ve accumulated this month while reading some good reads and some so-so reads.

Probably ought to get into said book reviews or it may be 2026 before we know it.

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The Love Trick by Kristine W Joy

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Rating explained:

I have mixed feels.

The overall relationship and the ending were fine, great even!

There was just this too long chunk of time, in my opinion, where they were upset with each other but didn’t talk through it for soooooo long. It was too much for me. Other than that, I would have given it 5 stars.

This was better than the first book to me, although I did note a few things.

The use of the word “douche,” alcohol, and hand gestures. Some family members were severely judgemental.

With all that said, I did find some quotes to share. 🥰

Everything that happened between us last night reminded me so much of how I felt about her in college. The way I pined so hard after her, letting her wear my jersey and hoping she would show some interest in wearing it for the rest of her life.

She gives me a weird look but doesn’t say anything. I almost want to blame it on the fact that I’m just a guy, and she’s freaking beautiful but that sounds horrible, and I don’t even know if it’s the truth. I’ve just never felt such a rush with someone, and I don’t know what’s wrong with me.

“You’re like a drug, Addy, and I think I’m addicted.”

“That sounds serious,” I breathe out as his lips trail downward to my neck, and his hands slide to my lower back. “You might need some help.”

“No, thanks.”

There’s something about a guy processing and professing his love that just GETS TO ME. I absolutely loved how Blaze was always her go to and how he was always, always there for her. She was also his go to, but then when she was what he needed to talk about, he had to rely on his teammates but all he wanted was her. I felt so bad for him. 😭

And, because of this book, “Somebody to You” by the Vamps – ReVamped (2024 version) is one of my new favorite songs. I’ve had it on repeat.

I also appreciated the overall cleanliness of the book, like the book alluded to them not having relationship experience further than kissing. Like thaaaaank you. Very relatable for me, haha.

This is book two in the Glacier Hockey series.

Hockey romances get me in the mood while I’ve been watching NHL playoffs on TV!

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I Knew He Was Trouble by Amanda Schimmoeller

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Rating explained:

I loved thisssssss. This is actually the first book I’ve read by Amanda Schimmoeller, but she’s been on my list!!!

I need to read her other series so bad. They’re in my cart. 😭 one day, lol.

This one was a next door neighbor’s, enemies to lovers, prank war, nanny and Dr romcom. Girrrrrrl, it was so good. Very light on the enemies part – it wasn’t extreme like others I’ve read which was really nice!!

The friend group. ❤️🫶🏻

WINSTON. 🐕

Evie and Tess 🥹

The HUNKY Dr. 😂

AUNT DARLA. 😆

So many things I loved. So instead of indulging with more nonsense, I’m just going to share some quotes!!!!

I’m waking her to the door when she says, “Don’t go getting any ideas that I’m doing this because I like you. I’m only doing this for your niece…..and the money.”

I roll my eyes. “I’m a doctor, not delusional.”

“Come on, Doolittle.” She walks down the aisle.

“You know that’s an animal doctor, right?” I call after her.

“Fine. Come on then, Frankenstein.”

I take a deep breath, exhaling slowly through my nose.

“That’s even worse.”

“If you keep flirting with me, I’m going to think you like me.”

We come to a stop while Winston sniffs some bushes.

Kelsey leans in closer and whispers, “Trust me, you wouldn’t be able to handle me flirting with you.”

“I’d like to see you try.” My lips pull up into a sly grin.

I’m not sure what game we’re playing here, but whatever it is, I’m determined to win.

Darla gets a dreamy, far-off look in her eyes. “When you’re with the right person, they should make everything in your lite easier. You know you have someone who always has your back and is willing to fight all your battles with you and for you. They should encourage you in your dreams and help you make them a reality. Don’t swear off love quite yet. Keep your heart open to the possibility. Love might find you, even if you aren’t looking for it.”

“You don’t have to need me, Kels. You just have to choose me.”

This is the first book in the Sweeter Than Fiction series which is dedicated to Swifties. If anyone’s even remotely a fan, you’ll enjoy. For clarity, I’m a fan of the older Taylor Swift (RED album and before), not so much the newer stuff.

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The Double Play by Annah Conwell

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Rating explained:

Just like I’ve never read an Annah Conwell book I’ve never liked, I’ve also never encountered (that I remember) a single dad/nanny book that I’ve never enjoyed. 😂 I don’t know what it is, but this works for me.

Baseball ⚾️ a sport I’ve never really enjoyed but I’m trying to. Emmett makes me wanna go even more and see those uniforms. 😂 When I’ve gone though, they haven’t looked like I’ve seen at times, which is obviously very disappointing.

I loved Hazel and how her sunshine personality pulled Emmett out of his shell around her. The hidden smiles and all the tension below the surface was to live for.

Hazel worked through allowing someone, like Emmett, to share her burdens and struggles. Emmett put himself out there even though he was scared to ever have a relationship after his wife left him and his daughter without a thought 5 years earlier.

(Hazel deals with neglectful parents and their issues [i.e. alcohol poisoning])

We see the group chats between the guys which was hilarious as always. Emerson (Emmett’s teammate and part of “M&M”) and Jason (friend) are basically the same person. 😂😂

Here’s some quotes!!!!

“Please be nice,” my mom says as it gets closer to the time the nanny is supposed to arrive.

June is off in her playroom. I plan on bringing her out to meet the woman if the interview goes well.

“Why would I be anything else?” I ask and she sighs.

“You care a lot about June, which is a good thing.” She gives me a meaningful look. “But it can also make you intense. Do you remember the nurse you made cry when June was at her last checkup?”

“She went to give her a shot without asking,” I say, anger flaring at the memory.

“That is not a reason to make someone cry.”

Debatable.

The last time I tried to talk to new people at one of Mikayla’s events, I asked them how many owls they would have to see in a day before they thought something was weird. I stopped listening to internet conversation tips after that.

😂😂

when I saw Hazel holding my daughter as if she were her own… it was impossible to bring myself to wake them. June deserves to feel loved, and it’s clear that Hazel loves her.

The sight of her in my hat brings about an entirely foreign and wholly unwelcome sensation in my chest. It’s similar to how I feel before a big game, but less anxious and more…warm. I don’t like it.

don’t let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game.

This quote came from JASON the jokester, lol

“You’re not alone anymore,” I tell her while staring into her eyes.

“You have me.”

Even if it terrifies me.

“I like that about it. It feels like you.”

“You like me.”

“Yeah, Wildflower, I like you.”

HE CALLS HER WILDFLOWER ❤️ 🌻

It took less than a day of her being gone for me to realize my house wasn’t a home without her in it.

He plays baseball. Surely he knows a signal when he sees one.

This is book four in the More Than a Game series. The next installment will be about Brock!! He’s all these guys’ agent and it’s gonna beeee sooooo good, y’all. The Confidentiality Clause will be out at the beginning of August!

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Merritt and her Childhood Crush by Emma St Clair & Jenny Proctor

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Rating explained:

I remember it took me a while to get into and enjoy book one. It didn’t take me long to get invested in book two. I think this one deals with heavier and more complex issues, but I enjoyed it more for some reason? I think it was just the way Merritt and Hunter loved each other and it was only ever the other. No one else. 😭❤️

Hunter was so, so sweet. Like the best human being in the book. Well other than Vroom or Izzy. 😂😂

Much like the first book, we see a Markham sister drinking too much at the beginning. Is this a theme for the series? Maybe.

Teen pregnancy (recounted)

Divorce (recounted)

Cheating (not by MCs)

“Mer means the sea,” she whispers.

“In French, yeah. It does.” I used to tell her that, how she reminded me of the sea-wild and vibrant and beautiful.

The sea is also powerful and dangerous. I didn’t know Merritt was those things too. Not until I’d already been carried out by her riptide and drowned.

“This is a new penny, Mer.”

I can hear what he’s not saying. New penny, new us. New start. Hunter always had more to say to me than anyone else.

But even with me, he’s always been a man who spoke volumes in silence. I love that about him.

“I would rather risk everything for a chance than live another moment without you in my arms.”

Why did I pick up this series again? Wellllll, Emma St Clair dropped book 7 for the Appies series and guess who had a crossover with this series? 😂

So I’m reading up through book 3 of the Oakley Island series, going to read book 7 of the Appies series (books written by Emma and Jenny!) and then back for the novella that rounds out the Oakley Island series. It’s all fun!

This was book two in the Oakley Island series.

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The Beguiled Gentleman by Audra Wells

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Rating explained:

I’ve been waiting for the next Audra Wells book since I finished her other books!! 😍

I absolutely LOVED the friendship that Hannah and Noah formed and the hilarious meet cute. Hannah was a whole vibe for me, so relatable. 😂 Poor Noah, LOL.

This one definitely had more angst than her other books and I just didn’t enjoy it as much as I would have liked. Noah was pretty blind to Hannah, while building her up and supporting her, he didn’t even see her as an option! I was shook for Hannah. Glad he finally seen Margaret for who she was though. I loved that he burned the letter before Hannah suggested it!! Go, Noah!

I can’t wait to see more books about Noah’s brothers! The stories we need!!! Donald!!! 😂

Noah deserved someone who celebrated him for who he was and the joy he brought to their life. Not someone who tried to cage him in and hold him back.

“You are about to be relentlessly pursued, my lady.”

Her face split into a wide grin. “If you think you can catch me.” She shrugged out of his arms, tossing an unabashedly flirtatious grin over her shoulder at him.

This is book one in the Bradley Brothers series.

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Sadie and the Bad Boy Billionaire by Emma St. Clair & Jenny Proctor

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Rating explained:

I enjoyed this one much more than I actually expected. I know, you tell by how quickly I read it and the 4 star review. 🙃

The speed of which I read was impacted by life and not the book. If I could have, I would have read this in a day. I was rooting for Ben from the very beginning. I love a man who knows what he wants and is much more than meets the eye. Hello, billionaire?

It’s a high 4 stars though. I did really enjoy it, but I didn’t feel it was a 5 star for me. 😃

Ben was everything. Sadie was frustrating at times.

Read this if you enjoy:

• Possible danger
• Government agents
• Protective & flirty MMC ❤️
• Super smart FMC
• Some hilarious fake dating
• Banter 🔥
• He calls her “Sadie girl” 😍
• Age gap (7 years)

While there was nothing inappropriate between characters, there were a couple curse words thrown in and then in the epilogue when everyone’s married and having babies, there’s some talk of sex. 🫣

Here’s some quotes I noted:

I have a sneaking suspicion that if I were to give into the attraction, it would be like eating jalapeños. They’re delicious in the moment, but regret is inevitable the moment they hit my digestive track in earnest.

“Morning, sunshine!” Ben’s voice is far too cheerful for a man on my most wanted list.

Scratch that. He’s on my newly formed hit list.

“I look forward to it,” Ben says.

“You want me to throw you off your yacht?”

“Boat,” he teases. “And no. I don’t want you to throw me off.” His fingers squeeze the base of my skull, and I let out a soft moan. “I just want you to feel well enough to try.” There is so much tenderness in his voice, it should surprise me. And yet, somehow, even through the fog of my pain and discomfort, I’m intensely aware that what I’m getting here, in the hazy darkness, is the real Benedict King. This shouldn’t make me so happy, but in my current state, I don’t have the fortitude to argue with myself so I give up and give in, relaxing into Ben’s warm, firm body and somehow managing to fall asleep through the pain.

Despite what the tabloids report, I do have some standards. And they include not getting involved with people who have the personality of a honey badger.

I don’t want to be demeaning with animal comparisons, but my strategy in this situation feels a little like fishing. I’m dangling the bait in front of Sadie, every so often moving the line to catch and keep her attention. But it isn’t about teasing her or tricking her into taking the bait. I’m waiting for her to figure out she wants to be caught in the first place.

Because I’m not interested in throwing her back.

This is book three in the Oakley Island series. Onto book 7 of the Appies series and then I’ll be back to Oakley Island for Izzy’s story with Liam. 😍

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As You Ice It by Emma St Clair

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Rating explained:

A surprise book by one of my favorite authors!

I was so pumped for this the moment I seen her post saying oh, hey, I published a book no one knew was coming. Hello book seven of the Appies!

Things to know:

• Hockey 🏒
• Oakley Island 🏝️ 
• Found family
• Second chances
• Series finale
• Actual communication being had
• THE ENDING ❤️
• Teen pregnancy (past, age 19)
• Infidelity of parental figure (side character)
• Parental detachment
• Dementia (side character)
• “WTF used one, maybe a few curse words like h*** ?

The ending again was a 5 star for me, but I think the overall book didn’t hook me like I thought it would ??? I don’t know why. But it still had all the charm and humor I adore from Emma. Liam was so smart. Camden and Naomi were so cute together it probably made his teammates sick. 🫶🏻

Chapter 9, Parker said Dominik was hoping for an invite to the Dream Team chat. Chapter 10, which is just the Dream Team chat, he shows up in the chat. Thought it was odd and underdeveloped. Although, I would like to see him get his own book in the future!

Here’s some quotes!!

Man. I’d forgotten how direct Liam is. No thought of holding back. Liam says the things he’s thinking. And he’s always thinking, which means he’s always talking.

I wonder what that’s like.

“When do you ever screw up, golden boy?” Van says.

“Constantly,” Eli says. “Ask Bailey. Although she’s probably too nice to say anything bad about me.”

Van rolls his eyes. “I don’t buy it. You treat that woman

like she farts rainbows.”

“Maybe she does.” Eli grins. “I’ve never heard her fart. So, I don’t have definitive proof.”

“Are you kidding?” Van yells. “Everyone farts!”

“So, you’re telling us Coach’s daughter is extremely flatu-lent?” Felix raises an eyebrow at Van. “Got it. I’ll be sure to tell Coach you said that.”

“Come on, man,” Van whines. “I just got him to stop hating me. Mostly. Don’t ruin it.”

“You’re not what I would call … common, Naomi.”

“Hey,” I protest, but Camden’s steady brown gaze stops me from saying more.

“It’s a compliment,” he says.

“Don’t look at me like that,” he says, but now he’s smil-ing. A tiny one, but still.

“Can’t help it. You’re cute when you’re flustered.”

“Less cowbell,” I hiss, as other servers around the restaurant start whooping and clapping. “Please, I beg of you-less cowbell!”

The server rings it harder, as though the survival of the human race is dependent on the enthusiasm with which she cowbells.

“Please know this: I don’t want to do the lack of communication or miscommunication thing with you anymore. I’m not good at this relationship … stuff. I don’t know what I’m doing or how to do it or even what you want. But we will talk about this tomorrow—about us. About a future. You. Me. Liam. Some complications in my own life.”

I want to give her rest. To be the one who shoulders some of the responsibility she’s carrying. Not because she can’t do it on her own, but because she deserves a little pampering. She deserves support and someone to take care of her for a change.

I want that someone to be me.

So yeah, this is book seven of the Appies series which ties in with the Oakley Island series by Emma St Clair and Jenny Proctor. Now I’m onto the novella that ends the Oakley Island series (which is about Liam all grown up! ❤️).

Another note on Emma St Clair: Her NEXT book coming out at the end of the summer, will include Wyatt!! He’s from the Appies but got traded to a Boston team, but still is included in the Dream Team chat. It gives me hope that we may get a book on Dominik or the twins from the Appies in the future!!

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Izzy and Her Off-Limits Love by Emma St Clair & Jenny Proctor

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Rating explained:

I would have finished this in a day since its a novella, but ah! Sleep.

I loved this one. Liam and Izzy all grown up was so adorable. The epilogue of at least one other book talked about Izzy having a crush and how the family hoped they’d figure it out and be together. Though they have a link through family, Liam and Izzy aren’t actually cousins, which is part of the “off-limits” part of this, LOL. They’re just like “related” by marriage, not blood, I guess.

“Just so you know,” I say, my voice low and rough. “I still obsess over things. I’ve just gotten better at keeping it to myself.”

“You can always talk to me,” Izzy says, her hushed voice a mirror of mine. “What are you obsessing over now?”

You.

“So, you’re into smelling things now, hm? Clothing, trees—anything else you love to smell?”

“No.” I throw a pillow at him, and he catches it, then tosses it back with a grin.

This was a sweet, quick read!! The ending to Oakley Island. ❤️ This was like a December beach read, which is cool! I loved it so much, even though it’s not overly Christmas-y, I’m adding to the Christmas list!

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Tornado Ally by Lainey Ross

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Rating explained:

This was a 3.5 rounded up for me. I wanted to like this more than I did.

It took me a while to read just because it didn’t always hold my attention. I read in spurts.

Being from Oklahoma like the author and where the book takes place, I was intrigued by our state natural disaster – the elusive and dangerous tornado. Add in romance and I’m down.

Read for:

• Small town Oklahoma
• Tornado experience
• Rural, farm life
• Tractor moment
• “Don’t Stop Believin” by Journey – not in the book but came to mind since he’s the city boy and she’s the small town girl
• Wholesome read

I wasn’t a fan of the portrayal of city vs country life. Corporate world is a different kind of hard work, but I felt like it was insane in the book since I have a corporate job myself. Do people actually call a main number and talk to someone at the front desk to tell them they’re taking time off work? I request it and my manager approves it. 🙃 Just wasn’t realistic at times for me and very played up.

Here’s some quotes though:

She was a wildflower in my concrete jungle. I couldn’t get enough of her.

If it couldn’t be fixed by fudge, duct tape, or WD-40, it might as well not be fixed at all.

I hope that when he was back in his big city with his fancy job, he would remember this. Remember that life could be like this. That peace was just a tractor ride away.

Think there’s a book two coming and maybe I’ll enjoy that one more. 🙂

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Bram Baxter Marries the Wrong Sister by Latisha Sexton

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Rating explained:

Oh man, what a beautiful book about God’s goodness and grace through marriage. 😍

Bram is such a good man who has to work through old feelings that change when his eyes are opened to the one he thought he loved and pursues (learns to pursues) the one he marries.

Quinn works through letting others help her as well as coping with her diagnosis – which is the reason she and Bram marry.

I loved the advice given to Bram by his dad and his pastor. Bram and Quinn both had lovely homes to grow up in and had support systems. It was refreshing to see Christian life lived out like this – flawed but beautiful.

Things I loved:

• Putting God first ✝️
• The familial bonds
• Sibling banter
• Marital wisdom
• Bram & Quinn call each other “wife” and “husband” ~ flirty & possessive
• Marriage of convenience
• Friends to more

To note:

• Drunkenness mentioned (past)
• Intimacy between married couple, nothing descriptive, but talked about

Quotes:

“Sometimes things happen in life that we don’t understand and can’t control. Or things turn out badly and hindsight makes us feel like we should have known how it would end. But we’re not God. We have to remember that even when it hurts, and even when life doesn’t turn out the way we expected or even wanted, that He is sovereign in all of it. He can use the worst situations to bring us joy and glory to Himself.”

We serve a God who is an expert at mending broken hearts.

This is a spin off from Latisha Sexton’s books in the Denver Dragon’s series so you see Abram’s twin brothers, Cyrus and Titus Baxter, here! This is the first book in her new The Wrong Girl series.

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The Valentine’s Bet by Kristine W Joy

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Rating explained:

A 4.5 rounded up!!

This was like a Hallmark movie. 🍿 I loved the small things between Amy and Parker that built their friendship foundation and their relationship. I adored their chemistry and their friendships that helped guide them to one another and point out how into one another they were.

What you’ll find and I mostly loved:

• Strangers to friends to lovers
• Matchmaking friends
• Protective, grumpy billionaire MMC
• Naive inexperienced, new to NY FMC
• Speed dating
• THE BET

To note:

• Three mentions of douchebags
• Family baggage & romance cynic

At times it felt like Amy was too desperate and naive. She came from Chicago, surely she understood the basic dangers of walking home alone in a city and that guys aren’t always what they seem. I’m not even from a big city like that and I know. But maybe that’s me being judgmental. 😂

Without that though, Parker wouldn’t have been as protective throughout the whole story probably, so I guess it was needed.

I think there may be more to come with the friend group, but we’ll see!! Enjoyable quick read.

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The Summer of You and Me by Denise Hunter

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Rating explained:

I wanted to like this more than I did, but it didn’t hit like other Denise Hunter books for me.

I loved the ending and the plot twists along the way were nice.

Not much of a spoiler since it’s alluded to in the synopsis, but: I struggled with Josh’s feelings that he held onto his feelings for Maggie since he was a teen. It got in the way of every relationship, even his marriage to someone else. No one knew about his feelings except when he confessed to his then-wife when he was sedated. Again, I liked the HEA and all, but as Christians, I think he should have worked harder to stay married and put away his feelings for someone else. It just didn’t hit right for me. It felt like he emotionally cheated, I guess.

A good summer read overall if you’re in need of one.

Noted:

• Friends to more
• Found family
• Divorced couples
• Pining, forbidden love
• Narcissistic mother

This is a standalone novel.

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The Love Chase by Emily Schneider

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Rating explained:

I loved and enjoyed this one mostly!! It was so sweet the little moments Liam and Emma shared and when he finally realized his feelings for her were there just at the surface all along.

There were some things in the background that I felt were underdeveloped and like we didn’t get enough of his family development or him working through that.

Otherwise, a sweet story and more serious than a romcom.

• Best friends (to not talking for a couple years) to more
• Marriage of convenience
• Country music star
• Storm chaser
• “My wife” moment

“I know this wasn’t your ideal marriage, Em, and while a lot of this is fake, I don’t want to take everything from you. I don’t want you to feel like you missed out because of me.” He pulled me tighter against him, his throat bobbing as he swallowed. “So, for a moment we’re going to pretend i’s real and I’m going to carry you across the threshold. Okay?”

What was the point of accomplishing your dreams when there was no one to share them with?

Dreams weren’t meant to be lonely.

This is book three in the Sweet Meridel Romance series.

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Off The Record by Kasey Stockton

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Rating explained:

Cute novella!

I liked the MCs in this. Would have been cool to see a full length novel to get more depth, but I think it was almost enough for the novella.

I would have liked to see more redeeming qualities in Hudson. I felt like we missed pieces of him. He still seemed kind of grey by the end of it to me.

Paisley was nice but seemed naive at times. Why did she go to his place? But I just wouldn’t have so I don’t know. 🤣 it’s not real, it’s not real, don’t lose your cool, Summer!

Anywayyyyy. If you need a quick read, I recommend this one despite my negative comments. This is one of two in the Nashville Romantics series by Stockton.

Note: mention of the word “douchey.”

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First Love, Second Draft by Becca Kinzer

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Rating explained:

Let me tell you why this is one of my favorite books. 🥹🫶🏻

A book with so much humor (I was literally cracking up the whole way through and questioning my decision to take this to work on my lunch breaks 😂😂 I sit right next to HR managers so that would be fun, right??) and so much heart. Ugh. I loved this. I can’t tell you enough.

This is one of those that surprisingly doesn’t have great reviews. I think it’s from people who don’t get the humor. I mean, I just don’t get why it doesn’t have a 4+ star rating, let alone 5! Come on, people!

This book is about a lot of things. I loved our divorced couple MCs, Noah and Grace, and their story and also, the side story of Matt and Rachel.

I wanted to grab some quotes, but every time I wanted to grab something, I realized I wanted to quote the whole page. This repeated itself too many times it became useless quoting this book. I want to insert the whole book here which means you just gotta read it.

Notes:

• Hilarious banter & snark
• Divorced couple w/ forced proximity
• Meddling family
• He takes care of her
• Writer FMC
• Baseball pitcher MMC
• Sweet friends to more subplot
• Injuries/hospital visits/death – implied and in the past
• Car accidents & crimes
• Rough childhood trauma discussed
• Infertility

This is a standalone novel.

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The Duet by Hailey Gardiner

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Rating explained:

This may be my favorite book of Hailey Gardiner’s so far! It was so beautiful. I loved their relationship – how easy it was for them to be friends and how it progressed into more. Connor Cane was swoony and so sweet to Ella Mae (which is a cute name). There was so much to imagine while reading. I loved their moments in studio writing and all their moments that could be categorized as dates. ☺️

This is book three in the Falling for Franklin series. I didn’t snatch any quotes but there were so many moments – I didn’t want to ruin the story for you! Just read it.

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Books read this month: 16

Books read this year: 76

Book goal for the year: 100

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You can check out my online bookstore here:

https://pangobooks.com/bookstore/notyourseason

Follow me on GoodReads here:

https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/131896341

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Thanks for stopping by! Feel free to comment what you’ve read in the month of May or comment how crazy I am to make a long post! 🤣