It’s a short month, so it went pretty fast. Who knew?
Another month of not feeling like I was getting anything read at all, but then by the end of the month, I have plenty to talk about even if it is less than last month.
I so enjoyed everything I read this month, so you know you’re going to get solid recommendations from me! My advance apologies for your wallet, your bookshelves and your TBRs.
An Accidental Marriage by Deborah M. Hathaway
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Rating explained:
Nothing like getting tricked into marriage! Watch what you say when you’re sarcastic – your mom might just take you seriously.
This is a reverse age gap (3 yrs) between Marie and Charles. Ugh! Charles. He’s a mess, LOL. Marie was getting on his level regularly though. If Charles hadn’t been totally avoiding his mother’s letters and invitations home, he’d have fallen for Marie! But then we wouldn’t have this hilarious story. 🙂
Quote:
“No. I think it will be best if we remain apart as much as possible until Mr. Page writes with news.”
“Afraid to fall in love with me, are you?”
She let out a forced laugh. “That is the least of my concerns, Mr. Shepherd.”
“And what is your greatest?”
She leaned toward him with a sickly-sweet smile. “That I will strangle you before I get the chance to annul our marriage.”
He threw back his head, his throat fully visible as it bobbed up and down with his genuine laugh.
This is book two in the Gentlemen’s Gamble, multi-author series.
Gabby Wallace Skips Valentine’s Day by Amber Nicole
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Rating explained:
I didn’t completely understand why Gabby was against Valentine’s Day, but I do relate to wanting to skip it. Rhett is so swoony and carefree. I adored his character and how he was just what Gabby needed, even and especially when she didn’t think so. Their meet cute (or meet traffic stop, LOL) was the best!!
This was a cute novella! This is part of a multi-author novella series that are all standalones.
Penalties and Proposals by Anne Kemp
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Rating explained:
I enjoyed this quick story! Noah has gotten his act together by the time he runs into Willa again years later. As they spend more time together, they learn more about each other and their circumstances – past and present.
I counted a couple of times where they took the Lord’s name in vain. Was not a fan, obviously.
This is book seven (last) in the Love on Thin Ice multi-author series.
The Second Chance Fixer Upper by Grace Worthington
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Rating explained:
Maeve and Jack were soooo cute together, gah!
Jack didn’t seem like he’d ever settle down, but Maeve’s circumstances when she moves back to town gives him a chance to see that he could and that Maeve could turn her affections back to him.
I enjoyed their ease and how at peace she was with Jack. She didn’t want to want Jack, but they were so clearly meant to be together. Her ex was such a jerk!!! I was shook half the time wanting her to wake up! Why go back to something like that???? He didn’t even provide a good father figure for his own daughter. *shook all over again*
This is book two in the Renovation Romance series.
A Foolish Proposal
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Rating explained:
This is my favorite of this amazing series so far. Have I mentioned how much I’ve loved this series? It’s so much fun!
Tristan and Caroline. I loved their story so much. When he proposed at the beginning of the story, I was like hello! Say yes!! LOL, but that didn’t happen. I understand why Caroline didn’t immediately take him up on his offer and the journey afterward to get there was not perfect, but it was perfect. Both of them were so loyal to their families and their situations. Everything felt so organic. This book is a gem.
So good I didn’t take any notes. 🙂
This is the third book in the Gentlemen’s Gamble, multi-auto series.
Accidentally Yours by Brittney Joy
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Rating explained:
I loved this one more than I anticipated!!
Ethan was swoony and sweet. He really liked Paige, but she already had prejudice against him. When they’re thrown together for a book collaboration (ha, thanks to Ethan and his ulterior motives), they get to know one another more and man, I loved their time together. Throw in a “fake” relationship that gets more real by the day and it was a great book!
This is book two in the Knitted in Love series. This book came out in September, so I’m not sure if there will be a third book, but there is another friend of Paige’s who could get a book still so I’ll be on the lookout!
A Novel Engagement by Anneka R Walker
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Rating explained:
I literally… cannot… tell you how much… I loved this.
Childhood friends and promised to one another turned enemies! I loved how their story of how they became “enemies” unfolded throughout the story. Rowan Ashworth was promised to Arabella Delafield by their parents as kids because they got along so well. Life happened and they soon had it out for each other as older kids – dashed hopes and dreams in the midst. Rowan kept his word though – he would marry Arabella no matter what. Ugh, all the heart eyes at that.
I loved the hilarious antics to throw the other off and Arabella running to a man who was so wrong with her (he was … different 🙂 ) was very entertaining.
I couldn’t read this fast enough for my taste and I only took a few days!! LOL
Quotes:
“I’m not leaving this house until you vow you love me and consent to be my wife.”
“I do not believe you care one wit for Mr. Clodwick.”
“And you believe I care more for you?” I shook my head. He had always thought highly of himself, but this was insufferable.
His voice lowered. “I think there is a strong possibility.”
I refused to let his sultry voice affect me. “There is also a strong possibility that I might strangle you if we were ever to wed.”
Like a cold, I had developed one symptom and then another, and before I knew it, I had succumbed to loving her.
This is book four in the six book, multi-author series, The Gentlemen’s Gamble. I am so excited to see which friend will be getting book five and who will be left in book six!!! We’re so close!
To All The Guys I Loathed Before by Gracie Ruth Mitchell
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Rating explained:
Oh my goodness….
Been waiting for Aurora’s story for a hot minute. I fell in love with the Marigold family. They’re all so different so it’s been fun to get to know each one and how they meet their loves.
I’m not a fan of reverse age gap, at all. In writing – if it’s too much – or in real life. This one was done well. There’s a 5 year age gap between Roman Drake and Aurora Marigold.
There’s always a wild beginning to all of the stories. It cracks me up!! Starting off sitting in a holding cell? And then the next day the guy who’s in there with you is your new, temporary boss? Golden.
Roman started imagining a life that was different than what he’d been living. Some of that started before the stories starts, but he really wants to be with Aurora and to do that, he needs to figure out how to properly love her and be who she needs while figuring out just who he is to begin with, apart from his father.
Aurora had to be willing to ask – ask for what she wanted and ask for help. I loved how Roman helped her with that and pushed her, too. She’s a pretty tough girl, but she came around.
Alllllll the banter. Goodness. I was there for it. That’s what I flew this one! It was a page turner. I needed more interactions! I would have been good with an even longer book!! But I don’t know what she’d even write to fill the pages – I just want all the banter.
Quotes:
“You’re something else, Aurora Marigold,” a low voice says from behind me, deep and smooth and full of amuse-ment. I startle, but Roman Drake goes on. “A vandal and a liar.”
“And don’t give so much weight to the complaints of boys who think they’re men.” He shrugs and looks back out the windshield. “If he thinks you’re too much to hold, then you need someone stronger. That’s all”
The trouble is gorgeous. The trouble plays no games, offers no apologies. The trouble knows exactly what she’s worth and demands nothing less.
“I might be younger than you,” he says quietly, “but there are some things a man knows how to do, Aurora.”
Other notes: mentions of infidelity and affairs, mild innuendo
This is book three in the Lucky in Love series. Cyrus will be next!! And we all know he’ll end up with Poppy. He has to!!
It’s Only Love by Alexandra Grace
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Rating explained:
This was a cute book! Best friends to more story involving some dating and proximity, then a fake engagement!
Archer (love the name) and Libby (Elizabeth) are best friends since they were in elementary school probably. They’ve always been close, but never realized they even had feelings for each other until it happened suddenly – they saw each other in a different light when other things started changing.
This was a pretty quick read also.
The book is clean with very little innuendo, but there were mentions of past premarital relations (MMC) but nothing descriptive, so I wasn’t sure what to make of that since it was briefly mentioned.
Standalone novel.
Feel free to let me know in the comments what you read this past month. Did we read any of the same books??
Books read this month: 9
Books read this year: 28
Book goal for year: 96
I haven’t added any more books since last month, but if you need to take a peek, I’ve included the link to my online store to rehome some books!!
https://pangobooks.com/bookstore/notyourseason
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Have a great Sunday and week ahead!! Happy reading!
Not Your Season: Summer's Blog 