Romantic Comedy Review: Talk Bookish to Me by Kate Bromley

Talk Bookish to Me by Kate Bromley

Published: May 25th, 2021

Publisher: Graydon House

Genre: Romantic Comedy

Heat rating: 🔥🔥

# of pages: 320

My rating: 4.5 stars

Acquired this book: From the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for honest consideration

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Warning: This review contains marked spoilers

Kara Sullivan’s life is full of love—albeit fictional. As a bestselling romance novelist and influential bookstagrammer, she’s fine with getting her happily-ever-after fix between the covers of a book.

But right now? Not only is Kara’s best friend getting married next week—which means big wedding stress—but the deadline for her next novel is looming, and she hasn’t written a single word. The last thing she needs is for her infuriating first love, Ryan Thompson, to suddenly appear in the wedding party. But Ryan’s unexpected arrival sparks a creative awakening in Kara that inspires the steamy historical romance she desperately needs to deliver.

With her wedding duties intensifying, her deadline getting closer by the second and her bills not paying themselves, Kara knows there’s only one way for her to finish her book and to give her characters the ever-after they deserve. But can she embrace the unlikely, ruggedly handsome muse—who pushes every one of her buttons—to save the wedding, her career and, just maybe, write her own happy ending?

Talk Bookish to Me is basically a love letter to the romance genre. Our heroine, Kara, is a romance author, a fierce defender of the genre, and a bookstagrammer (so she’s basically me). She’s spent months unable to write her next book and, with her deadline looming, is getting desperate. When she’s reunited with her first love - the guy who broke her heart ten years ago, and who she still harbours a ton of resentment toward - she’s both irritated and intrigued to discover his presence has unblocked her creative flow.

This book was so charming. It had me laughing within the first few pages, and I connected easily to Kara. I loved the combination of second chance and enemies-to-lovers; Kara and Ryan clearly had unresolved feelings for each other and despite the initial anger they felt toward each other for all that had happened, they couldn’t deny their lingering feelings or the chemistry between them. I also really enjoyed the friendship dynamics between Kara and her two best friends and how supportive they were.

Now, here’s where we get into spoiler territory: Cheating is usually a deal-breaker for me. If I’d known that aspect of the plot going in, I’m not sure I would have read this book, which would have been a shame because I genuinely enjoyed it. The way it all happened made me sad, angry, and disappointed in Ryan. I feel so torn because what he did was wrong and inexcusable, but...I appreciated how it all worked out? People make mistakes and while this was a colossal one, he and Kara were clearly in love and were meant for each other. I do wish there had been some other conflict because it feels icky seeming like I’m ‘okay’ with the cheating aspect. I’m not okay with it, but Ryan knew what he did was wrong and was willing to face the consequences. People aren’t perfect and we can’t expect fictional characters to be either. As an author herself and a champion of romance, Kara knew that better than anyone, and I feel like her decision to forgive Ryan was an informed one. She loved him enough to forgive him and forge ahead with a relationship. As readers, our viewpoint is subjective and we bring our own personal biases and histories, so I completely understand how that part of the book will be a hard no for some people. // End spoilers

I think Talk Bookish to Me will be a hit with many romance readers. It definitely was with me! I’ll look forward to more books from Kate Bromley.

Have you read Talk Bookish to Me?

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Romantic Comedy Review: Rosaline Palmer Takes the Cake by Alexis Hall

Rosaline Palmer Takes the Cake (Winner Bakes All #1) by Alexis Hall

Published: May 18th, 2021

Publisher: Forever

Genre: Romantic Comedy/LGBTQ+

Heat rating: 🔥🔥

# of pages: 448 

My rating: 3.5 stars

Acquired this book: From the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for honest consideration

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Warning: This review contains mild spoilers

Following the recipe is the key to a successful bake. Rosaline Palmer has always lived by those rules—well, except for when she dropped out of college to raise her daughter, Amelie. Now, with a paycheck as useful as greaseproof paper and a house crumbling faster than biscuits in tea, she’s teetering on the edge of financial disaster. But where there’s a whisk there’s a way...and Rosaline has just landed a spot on the nation’s most beloved baking show.

Winning the prize money would give her daughter the life she deserves—and Rosaline is determined to stick to the instructions. However, more than collapsing trifles stand between Rosaline and sweet, sweet victory.  Suave, well-educated, and parent-approved Alain Pope knows all the right moves to sweep her off her feet, but it’s shy electrician Harry Dobson who makes Rosaline question her long-held beliefs—about herself, her family, and her desires.

Rosaline fears falling for Harry is a guaranteed recipe for disaster. Yet as the competition—and the ovens—heat up, Rosaline starts to realize the most delicious bakes come from the heart.

It’s no secret Alexis Hall’s Boyfriend Material was one of my top favourite books of 2020. Because of that, Rosaline Palmer Takes the Cake was one of my most anticipated books of 2021, and I was extra excited that one of my favourite publishers, Forever, was publishing it. After reading this book, I have so many thoughts and feelings. So many. I will say it started and ended great - I was laughing within the first few pages and I was cheering for Rosaline in the end - but the whole rest of it was a bit of a roller coaster for me.

My main issue with this book was how preachy it felt. Within the first 20%, there were three instances where Rosaline was super preachy, and it continued on throughout the book. I’m here for inclusivity and calling out injustices and wrong assumptions, but the fact so many scenes turned into ‘teachable moments’ where Rosaline climbed up on her soapbox and told people they were wrong and why, it got to be a bit much. All of that was paired with the fact it seemed like nobody in the entire book had ever known someone who’d had a baby at 19 and made a huge deal over the fact Rosaline did. Maybe it’s because I know so many people who had babies in their late teens and early twenties so it’s not a big deal to me, but it was a massive deal to literally everyone in the entire book when they found out. Plus it really irked me that someone Rosaline barely knew - a love interest, no less - asked her why she hadn’t had an abortion. Who asks that of someone they just met?!

I got to a point where I rolled my eyes when a conversation was heading a certain way or someone said something even remotely offensive because I knew Rosaline would dust off the ol’ soapbox and we’d get another lesson. On the one hand, I appreciate that these things were included in an overall lighthearted, fun book, but I think a sprinkling would have worked better than having it dumped in repeatedly. The whole preachy aspect was made even..funnier? Stranger?...by the fact Rosaline herself was incredibly judgemental and often made snap judgments about people the moment they opened their mouths.

I’m also not 100% sure how I feel about the romance(s); Alain quickly revealed himself to be a jerk, yet Rosaline seemed determined to make things work with him because he was everything she thought she should want. I kept wondering at what point the red flags from Alain would smack her on the head and knock some sense into her. Harry was sweet, swoony, and very different from the typical love interest, which I loved. I enjoyed his interactions with Rosaline, but I would have loved to see more of the focus on him and not the guy who turned out to be a completely irredeemable scumbag. I’m not a huge fan of love triangles to begin with and this one fell flat for me because of how obviously wrong one of the guys was for her, plus a general lack of chemistry.

Okay, now that all that’s off my chest, I’ll move into the positive. As with Boyfriend Material, this book had me giggling so much. I love Hall’s wit and humour; the way he writes inner dialogue and banter is genius. Despite my issues with Rosaline’s preachiness, I did like her and connect with her, and I genuinely ended up rooting for her and wanting her to succeed. She reminded me of Lorelai Gilmore from Gilmore Girls in a way; despite having rich parents who put a lot of pressure on her, she wanted to forge her own path, raise her daughter on her terms, and find a sustainable (and enjoyable) way to support herself. I enjoyed watching her figure out what mattered to her, and felt like her stumbles along the way were realistic. Even when the things she did made me shake my head or roll my eyes, I still appreciated that more than a perfect, unrealistic character. And even though she came across as preachy, I appreciated how she learned to stand up for herself. 

Overall, despite my issues with Rosaline Palmer Takes the Cake, I did enjoy it. I was fully invested in Rosaline’s story and felt like she was a friend I was cheering on from the sidelines. This is apparently the first of three books in the Winner Bakes All series, and I’ll be curious to see what Hall has in store for us next.

Read my review of Boyfriend Material

Have you read Rosaline Palmer Takes the Cake? Have you ever thought about trying out for a cooking show or any other reality show?

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Romantic Comedy Review: Italy Ever After by Leonie Mack

Italy Ever After by Leonie Mack

Published: May 11th, 2021

Publisher: Boldwood Books

Genre: Romantic Comedy

My rating: 4.5 stars

Acquired this book: From the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for honest consideration

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TV journalist Lou feels battered and bruised after her divorce from Phil, the father of her daughter Edie. Her confidence and sense of fun have steadily been drained away, and she isn’t sure who she is any more.

When the opportunity arises to accompany Edie on a music camp in Italy for a month in the summer, Lou jumps at the chance for new adventures, new horizons and new friends. The hazy warmth of the summer sun, shining brightly over the stunning Lake Garda, slowly brings Lou back to life.

Nick Romano, Edie’s music teacher, loves being home in Italy, but coaching his students for their concert in Milan, is bringing back difficult memories. His blossoming friendship with Lou is the perfect distraction, although a summer fling would be easier to conduct without the scrutiny of his mother Greta, not to mention the interference of his extended Italian family.

As the summer passes, full of sunshine and breath-taking scenery, gelato and delicious feasts, Lou and Nick get ever closer. But as the time for farewell creeps up on them, will they be able to say goodbye and leave their memories behind in the Italian sun, or can a summer romance last a lifetime?

I don’t often manage to read ARCs months in advance, but as soon as I was granted access to Italy Ever After on Netgalley in February, I dove right in. After fourteen months of isolation due to the pandemic - plus a long, cold winter - I’ve been dreaming of sunshine and beautiful far-off places. Italy Ever After was the exact vicarious holiday I needed to lift my spirits and bring me hope for better days.

Lou is getting divorced after twelve years of marriage to a man who made her feel talentless and ordinary. She’s coasting by in her career and has poured all her focus and love into her eleven-year-old daughter Edie, who’s a violin prodigy. When she gets the opportunity to accompany Edie to a music camp in Italy over the summer, she jumps at the chance and sees it as the perfect opportunity to explore different hobbies and find something that makes her extraordinary. It doesn’t hurt that Edie’s super-hot Italian music teacher will be at the camp too.

I loved Lou and found her so real and relatable. She barely knew who she was anymore outside of being a wife and mother, so her idea of seeking a talent was really her way of seeking validation and fulfillment after her husband made her feel so small for so long. I loved watching her come into her own, learn a lot about herself - often with help from others - and learn to stand up for herself, speak up, and go after what she wanted. She and Nick were both living in fear, embodying past mistakes, and were unable to move forward. They had great chemistry and banter and they really saw each other - and weren’t afraid to tell the other what they saw, good or bad. They balanced each other perfectly, and I loved watching them grow closer. I also really enjoyed Lou’s relationship with Edie, and how much Nick cared about her too.

This book is a must-read this spring and summer for romance fans. Prepare to be whisked away on a virtual trip to sunny Italy and fall in love with the setting and characters.

Have you read Italy Ever After? If you could hop on a plane and take a trip anywhere right now, where would it be?

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Romance Review: The Borrow a Bookshop Holiday by Kiley Dunbar

The Borrow a Bookshop Holiday by Kiley Dunbar

Published: May 5th, 2021

Publisher: Hera

Genre: Contemporary Romance

# of pages: 227

My rating: 4 stars

Acquired this book: From the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for honest consideration

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The Borrow-a-Bookshop Bookshop Café invites literature lovers to run their very own bookshop…for a fortnight. Spend your days talking books with customers in your own charming bookshop and serving up delicious cream teas in the cosy café. Bookworms, what are you waiting for? Your holiday is going to be LIT(erary). Apply to: The Borrow-a-Bookshop Bookshop Café, Down-a-long, Clove Lore, Devon.

Jude Crawley should be on top of the world. She’s just graduated as a mature student, and can finally go public about her relationship with Philosophy professor, Mack. Until she sees Mack kissing another girl, and her dreams crumble. And worse, their dream holiday–running a tiny bookshop in the harbour village of Clove Lore for two weeks–is non-refundable.

Throwing caution to the wind, Jude heads down to Devon, eager to immerse herself in literature and heal her broken heart. But there’s one problem: six-foot-tall, brooding (but gorgeous) Elliot, who’s also reserved the bookshop holiday for two weeks…

As Jude and Elliot put their differences aside to run the bookshop, it seems that Jude might be falling in love with more than just words. Until she discovers what Elliot is running from–and why he’s hiding out in Clove Lore.

Can Jude find her own happy ending in a tiny, tumbledown bookshop? Or is she about to find out that her bookish holiday might have an unexpected twist in the tale…

The Borrow a Bookshop Holiday was the third book I've read by Kiley Dunbar. By now I know to expect humour, romance, a beautiful setting, and a temporary escape from reality when I read one of Kiley's books. Escape from reality is a theme in her books: the heroine needs to get away from something (or someone) or needs a break from life weighing her down, and she finds herself - along with love and friendship - in the place she’s escaped to, all while realizing it's not always easy - or sometimes even possible - to outrun your problems. I love books like that and Kiley does them so well.

In The Borrow a Bookshop Holiday, our heroine, Jude, is in her late twenties and has just graduated from college. She’s also just found out her sexy professor boyfriend is a cheating cad. Added to that is the fact the people who have always needed her - the reasons she’s basically put her life on hold until now - no longer need her in the same way. She doesn’t have a job or a purpose, so when her spot on the waitlist for the Borrow-a-Bookshop bookstore and cafe opens up, she takes it as her sign to get away for two weeks and get her head on straight.

I think it’s safe to say many lifelong book lovers have had the dream of running their own bookshop. I know I certainly have, so I loved the concept of this book. Add in the quaint village, the quirky townspeople, and the mysterious man who turns up to help Jude, and you have a recipe for a sweet, emotional story. I connected with Jude easily and felt the heft of responsibility and then uncertainty that weighed on her. She’d never had a chance to live life for herself, and I enjoyed watching her strike out on her own and learn new things about herself.

With travel still out for many of us this summer, The Borrow a Bookshop Holiday makes for a wonderful virtual vacation. 

Have you read The Borrow a Bookshop Holiday? Have you ever dreamed of owning and/or working in a bookshop? Have you ever actually worked in one?

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Rom-Com Review: The Secret Bridesmaid by Katy Birchall

The Secret Bridesmaid by Katy Birchall

Published: May 4th, 2021

Publisher: St Martin’s Griffin

Genre: Romantic Comedy

Heat rating: 🔥

# of pages: 400

My rating: 4.5 stars

Acquired this book: From the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for honest consideration

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Sophie Breeze is a brilliant bridesmaid. So brilliant, in fact, that she’s made it her full-time job.

As a professional bridesmaid, Sophie is hired by London brides to be their right-hand woman, posing as a friend but working behind the scenes to help plan the perfect wedding and ensure their big day goes off without a hitch. When she’s hired by Lady Victoria Swann–a former model and “It Girl" of 1970’s London; now the Marchioness of Meade–for the society wedding of the year, it should be a chance for Sophie to prove just how talented she is.

Of course, it’s not ideal that the bride, Lady Victoria’s daughter, Cordelia, is an absolute diva and determined to make Sophie’s life a nightmare. It’s also a bit inconvenient that Sophie finds herself drawn to Cordelia’s posh older brother, who is absolutely off limits. But when a rival society wedding is announced for the very same day, things start to get…well, complicated.

Can Sophie pull off the biggest challenge of her career–execute a high-profile gala for four hundred and fifty guests in record time, win over a reluctant bride, and catch the eye of handsome Lord Swann–all while keeping her true identity a secret, and her dignity intact?

Sophie Breeze is a professional bridesmaid. She’s there for a bride leading up to and during her big day for whatever she needs, big or small. And when she’s tasked with being a bridesmaid to Lady Cordelia Swann, a seemingly spoiled, ill-tempered, snobby aristocrat--who Sophie admired in her teen years, no less--she’s determined not to let Cordelia get the best of her. Not only is she faced with outrageous demands from Cordelia, but she also has other brides to attend to (many with their own strange requests), deal with other people’s expectations and assumptions about her (in particular her jerk of an ex), and manage her growing feelings for Cordelia’s sweet and charming brother, Tom.

The Secret Bridesmaid was hilarious. I smiled and giggled my way through this book, sometimes even laughing until I had tears in my eyes. I shed some actual, emotional tears too because there were some genuinely heartwarming and beautiful moments. The concept of this book was so much fun and it was executed so well. I loved watching the progression of Sophie and Cordelia’s relationship, and I enjoyed Sophie’s relationship with her cousin/best friend, Cara. It was also fun getting to see some of the things Sophie did for other bridesmaids, and the correspondences between chapters had me laughing myself silly. I do wish there’d been a bit more focus on the romance - it is a romantic comedy, after all - but the book was just so good, I can’t even really complain that it took a bit of a backseat.

The Secret Bridesmaid is highly entertaining, laugh-out-loud funny, and touching. It was an absolute delight to read from beginning to end, and is without question one of my favourite books of 2021 so far. I’d love to see it turned into a movie or even a mini-series.

Have you read The Secret Bridesmaid? Have you ever been part of a wedding party?

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Romance Review: Maggie Finds Her Muse by Dee Ernst

Maggie Finds Her Muse by Dee Ernst

Published: April 20th, 2021

Publisher: St Martin’s Griffin

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Heat rating: 🔥🔥

# of pages: 304

My rating: 4 stars

Acquired this book: From the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for honest consideration

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All Maggie Bliss needs to do is write. Forty-eight years old and newly single (again!), she ventures to Paris in a last-ditch effort to finish her manuscript. With a marvelous apartment at her fingertips and an elegant housekeeper to meet her every need, a finished book—and her dream of finally taking her career over the top—is surely within her grasp. After all, how could she find anything except inspiration in Paris, with its sophistication, food, and romance in the air?

But the clock is running out, and between her charming ex-husband arriving in France for vacation and a handsome Frenchman appearing one morning in her bathtub, Maggie’s previously undisturbed peace goes by the wayside. 

I had really high hopes for Maggie Finds Her Muse: an older heroine who’s a romance writer travels to Paris to find her muse? Sign me up! I love books set in Paris, but many of them feel like they’re lacking in some way, leaving me wanting more. I’m thrilled to say Maggie Finds Her Muse didn’t disappoint - it was funny, compelling, charming, and I really felt like I was there in Paris with Maggie.

Maggie Bliss, 48, has a horrible case of writer’s block. The third book of her bestselling trilogy is due soon, but she hasn’t even started writing it. Between feeling completely stuck and breaking up with her boyfriend, something’s gotta give. When her agent invites Maggie to join him and his partner at their home in Paris for the next several weeks, she agrees, hoping the change of scenery will unblock her creative flow.

This book was such a light, fun, feel-good read. Maggie had realistic struggles, but they weren’t drawn out or overdramatized for the sake of it, which I appreciated. I loved her explorations and observations of Paris, felt like I was vicariously consuming tons of delicious food and wine, and enjoyed the variety of characters from Solange, Maggie’s agent’s wise and wily housekeeper, to Solange’s son Max, a sexy Frenchman who instantly piques Maggie’s interest, to Maggie’s adult daughter, Nicole, who had Asperger’s. Oh, and Solange’s snorty, farty bulldog, Jules, won a special place in my heart too.

I’m used to reading about characters in their twenties and thirties, so I really appreciated that Maggie was 48, had been married and divorced, and had a long career. Despite the fact Maggie is eleven years older than I am, I connected with her easily and found her relatable. I enjoyed the romantic elements in the story, from Maggie’s break-up with her self-centred boyfriend to reuniting with her ex-husband to meeting Max. She didn’t come to Paris looking for romance, and she felt strange about the romantic stirrings she was feeling because she’d just ended a relationship. Still, those feelings were there, and it would have been easy for her to go back to comfort and familiarity with her ex-husband - who had changed and seemed like a better match for her now than he was way back when - or pursue something with Max, who was very French, seemed like a lady’s man, and represented the new and unfamiliar. I loved watching Maggie grow and learn, figure out what she wanted at this stage of her life, and go for it.

Maggie Finds Her Muse left me with a big smile on my face. Between great characters, a fun premise, and a beautiful and vivid setting, this book was a definite winner for me, and I know I’ll be recommending it to many fellow romance lovers. 

Have you read Maggie Finds Her Muse? Do you enjoy books that feature older characters? How about books set in Paris?

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Romance Review: The Things We Leave Unfinished by Rebecca Yarros

The Things We Leave Unfinished by Rebecca Yarros

Published: February 23rd, 2021

Publisher: Entangled: Amara

Genre: Contemporary romance mixed with historical romance 

Heat level: 🔥🔥

# of pages: 429

My rating: 5 stars

Acquired this book: From the publisher in exchange for honest consideration

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Twenty-eight-year-old Georgia Stanton has to start over after she gave up almost everything in a brutal divorce—the New York house, the friends, and her pride. Now back home at her late great-grandmother’s estate in Colorado, she finds herself face-to-face with Noah Harrison, the bestselling author of a million books where the cover is always people nearly kissing. He’s just as arrogant in person as in interviews, and she’ll be damned if the good-looking writer of love stories thinks he’s the one to finish her grandmother’s final novel…even if the publisher swears he’s the perfect fit.

Noah is at the pinnacle of his career. With book and movie deals galore, there isn’t much the “golden boy” of modern fiction hasn’t accomplished. But he can’t walk away from what might be the best book of the century—the one his idol, Scarlett Stanton, left unfinished. Coming up with a fitting ending for the legendary author is one thing, but dealing with her beautiful, stubborn, cynical great-granddaughter, Georgia, is quite another.

But as they read Scarlett’s words in both the manuscript and her box of letters, they start to realize why Scarlett never finished the book—it’s based on her real-life romance with a World War II pilot, and the ending isn’t a happy one. Georgia knows all too well that love never works out, and while the chemistry and connection between her and Noah is undeniable, she’s as determined as ever to learn from her great-grandmother’s mistakes—even if it means destroying Noah’s career.

Ohhh lordy, this book. I finished reading The Things We Leave Unfinished about a week ago and I’m still thinking about it. I’ve also been talking about it - so much so that four people have told me they bought it because of me (two of them have already read it and loved it too) - a book lover’s dream!

This book was absolutely incredible. It was romantic, emotional, surprising, heartbreaking, hopeful - it basically had everything. I can’t remember the last time I got so deeply invested in a novel. The ultimate surprise for me is that dual timeline and WWII stories aren’t typically favourites of mine (dual timeline can be confusing or make a book feel draggy, and WWII stories - war stories in general, really - are often too heavy, stressful, and sad for me), but both things were done so beautifully, so intricately, and with so much heart, it made me fall completely in love with this book.

The Things We Leave Unfinished features two epic love stories woven together. In present day, Georgia has recently lost her beloved Gran, Scarlett, and has just gone through a divorce. She’s still reeling, but she’s doing the best she can to put her life back together. As the wife of a famous director, she was known as the Ice Queen; what people didn’t see was that it was a facade she erected to keep herself safe because her husband was a cheater and an opportunist. She meets her match in Noah, the rich playboy and famous Nicholas Sparks type author who’s been tasked with completing her Gran’s only unfinished work: her own love story. That love story is where the dual timeline comes in and we’re taken to 1940s England where Scarlett, a plotter for the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force, meets and falls in love with Jameson, a pilot for the RAF.

I loved these characters so, so much. Georgia was fierce, strong, smart, driven, and had her walls firmly in place after being hurt not only by her husband, but also by her selfish mother, who abandoned her continuously as a child. All she really wanted was to be loved unconditionally, the way her Gran loved her, but people only ever seemed to want something from her. I loved her and Noah together - their banter, their chemistry, how he really saw her, cared about her, and wanted her for HER, not what she could do for him. Scarlett and Jameson had that lightning strikes, once-in-a-lifetime kind of love that was full of chemistry and passion and unshakable love. Their love for each other radiated from the pages. I felt like I was part of both stories, like I lived the heartache and triumphs of both couples.

I know with 100% certainty The Things We Leave Unfinished will make it to my list of 2021 favourites. If you’re looking for a compelling story with two beautiful romances that will pull at your heartstrings, make you swoon, and keep you guessing, this is a must read.

Have you read The Things We Leave Unfinished? Do you enjoy books told in dual storylines? How about books set in World War II?

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