Review: Out of Her League by Ava Rani

Out of Her League had some high moments, but also some low ones. Isa is easily the standout of the novel, and her storyline carries much of its emotional weight. Her struggle to step out from under her father’s legacy while honoring her mother’s sacrifices adds a compelling layer of internal conflict.

Austin’s story is emotional; however, it didn’t quite land as hard at Isa’s. His best friend saved his life when he was a kid, and after losing him to cancer a few years ago, he’s trying to do everything he can to save his foundation. He also needs to decide what to do with his career, as an injury ended it. I enjoyed the choice he eventually made, and I feel it was the right choice for him.

The romance was very promising, but it doesn’t quite live up to its potential. The fake dating and wedding elements introduce a fun and engaging dynamic, but they are surprisingly short-lived. Those moments showcase the strongest chemistry between Isa and Austin. And it was disappointing that the story didn’t linger there longer. Outside of those scenes, the romance feels like it’s missing a certain spark or tension needed to keep it consistently interesting.

Overall, while the emotional depth of the characters—particularly through family and personal struggles—stands out, the romance falls slightly flat compared to what it could have been.

Final Thoughts

Out of Her League has strong emotional moments, especially through Isa’s character and her family story, but it feels uneven overall. The romance shows promise with the fake-dating setup; however, it falls short and lacks the depth needed to stay engaging. Thank you to Netgalley for providing this arc! Hate Me Like You Mean It was released on May 12, 2026.

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Review: It Seemed Like A Good Idea by Lauren Blakely

If you’re in the mood for a romantic comedy with delicious chemistry and small-town charm, Lauren Blakely’s latest, the first in her Darling Springs series, It Seemed Like a Good Idea delivers all that and more. 

In this charming small-town romance, Ripley, a quiet lavender farmer, suddenly finds her peaceful life turned upside down when her movie star twin comes to town to film a major movie. The sudden attention from the paparazzi means she needs protection, and the bodyguard, Banks, assigned to protect her turns out to be the very man she almost spent one unforgettable night with. Enter tension.

At the heart of this romcom captures a typical contrast from the rom com trope of the grumpy bodyguard x the sunshine heroine. She’s sweet, trying to live a peaceful life on her farm and he is intensely guarded, struggling not to cross the line. Each accidental conflict adds another layer to their undeniable attraction.

Beneath their vulnerable moments, the story carries an inevitable truth of their temporary time together. Despite the bliss behind the lavender farm cozy backdrop, that looming expectation makes every stolen moment more intimate and endearing.

The small town setting adds another layer to its charm. The lavender farm, cozy shops and tight knot community give the romance a relaxed vibe that makes the story feel like the perfect escape. It creates a romance that’s light, charming and full of warmth. Beyond Ripley and Banks, the supporting characters bring their own flavor to the story that keeps things fun and interesting. 

Overall, this trope filled romantic escape balances humor, endearing moments and the right amount of tension. If you like small town romances and bodyguard love stories, you will find yourself swept up in this sweat and steamy swoony romance. 

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Review: In Her Own League by Liz Tomforde

In Her Own League had a lot of elements that worked well and some that didn’t quite land for me. Reese and Emmett’s relationship mostly worked for me. They had a truly engaging and enjoyable dynamic. Great chemistry, fun banter.

Emmet had spent much of his life focused on providing his daughter with a stable, loving life. And then once she moved out, he gave everything to the team. When Reese enters his life, it feels meaningful for him to finally have someone who supports him in return. One of the book's strongest aspects is Emmet’s relationship with his daughter, Miller. Their father–daughter bond is truly the heart of the story and adds warmth and emotional depth throughout the novel.

Reese was portrayed as intelligent, determined, and deeply committed to her new role within the team. As the first female owner, she faces a lot of pressure, and every decision she makes is scrutinized by the public and even her employees. The tension created an interesting backdrop for her character, and I wish Tomforde had done it a bit more justice. At times, it felt too in the background, and I would have liked a stronger arc for Reese.

As much as I loved Reese and Emmet’s relationship, the pacing was something I struggled with. One moment, they seem to dislike each other, and the next, they are flirting heavily and moving toward instant attraction. Their romance would have benefited from a slower burn and more conflict or tension between them before things progressed.

Final Thoughts

In Her Own League has enjoyable moments, strong banter, and an amazingly heartfelt father-daughter relationship. However, the rushed pacing and underdeveloped potential in Reese’s storyline make it a weaker entry compared to other books in Liz’s catalog.

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Review: Two Can Play by Ali Hazelwood

Two Can Play was an okay read overall. There was something about the characters, and the romance didn’t quite click for me. I also wouldn’t call this enemies-to-lovers, as the conflict is rooted more in miscommunication than genuine hatred. Viola believed that Jesse disliked her for years. That felt underdeveloped and never fully convincing.

Jesse felt like the stereotypical, tall, dark-haired, broody, mysterious lead. There wasn’t enough depth or insight into his character to make him memorable. There also wasn’t much of a clear arc for either of the main characters. However, I really appreciated Viola’s connection to video games and her relationship with her dad. That was sweet and added an emotional warmth to the story. Also, I enjoyed the video game developer setting, especially the team-building retreat and game discussions. Both were fun and engaging and felt like the book's strongest parts.

Final Thoughts

Two Can Play’s plot felt rushed. There wasn’t enough time spent fully fleshing out the characters or the romance. While the concept had a lot of potential, the execution left me wanting more depth and development.

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Review: And Now, Back to You by B.K. Borison

And Now, Back to You, unfortunately, ended up being a disappointing read for me. Mostly because the romance is the weakest element. On paper, Jackson and Delilah seem like the perfect opposites-attract pairing. Whereas Jackson strives for structure and routine, Delilah is chaos personified, even being described as a hurricane wrapped in delusion and mismatched pastels by Jackson. The two have had a disastrous series of run-ins over the years and are forced to work together to cover a major winter storm.

Their contrasting personalities should have created a fun, dynamic romance full of tension and growth. However, instead, their relationship felt flat and surprisingly boring. While the romance was disappointing, the non-romantic relationships did work. I will even say they were the strongest parts of the book. Especially, Jackson’s relationship with his sisters. His dedication to them was one of the most moving aspects of the story. Knowing his mother was unable to care for them properly, Jackson spent months carefully planning how to gain custody, and the depth of his love and responsibility as an older brother really stood out to me. These moments added emotional weight and made his character far more intriguing than the romantic plotline.

Delilah’s character arc was another highlight. A producer at her news station has a personal vendetta against her and is doing everything in his power to keep her from reporting the weather. That conflict and her unwillingness to give up were nicely done. Her grandfather was at the center of it all, including her motivation for becoming a meteorologist. It really provided her with a sense of ambition and emotional grounding, which made her journey feel meaningful. Watching both characters grow individually was far more satisfying than watching them fall in love.

Final Thoughts

While reading, And Now, Back to You, I found myself less engaged during the romance and more interested in the heartfelt family relationships and individual character development. The romance felt underwhelming. I wanted more spark from the central relationship, especially given how promising their dynamic initially seemed.

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Review: Fabulously Flawed by Lynne Hancock Pearson

Rather than asking the predictable “Will they fall in love?”, Fabulously Flawless explores a deeper question: “What if love changes everything you thought you wanted?” This heartfelt small-town story concludes book three in the Keeney Build series. 

Carl is the sort of the character that is typical but relatable. He is ambitious and has a professional goal plan in the works of accomplishment. When his grandmother needs him, he returns to Keeney, a town he’s already outgrown… or so he thinks. While this is temporary, caring for his grandmother pulls him back for a needed distraction. As he swaps his suit for work boots he’s absolutely determined not to get attached to the town, to the job, or to the woman he once walked away from. While his mind remains on achieving corporate success, an opportunity arises that begins to blur his temporary plans. 

And then there’s the lovely, Sylvie. She is the kind of character you instantly want to root for. With her dreams of being a house flipper crushed by her fraud ex boyfriend, her spark may have dimmed but not gone out. As Carl arrives just in time with his calming presence, encouragement and friendship, their chemistry renews with a slow simmering feel that is paced as it’s supposed to be rather than rushed.

Their chemistry is undeniable, but what makes this story shine is how gentle their reconnection is. He is set on leaving, she is rebuilding. Layered by their attraction, the tug between ambition and belonging, independence and partnership but their timing and pride get in the way. Grounding the story with their slow burn workplace romance, their conflicts and collaborations, makes them real and relatable behind that small town setting. It’s not insta love but something earned that makes you want to keep reading another chapter. 

This novel captures the beauty of choosing love when it complicates your plans. If you’ve ever dreamed of escaping your hometown and secretly wondered what might happen if you stayed, this is for you. It’s for anyone who’s ever thought they were just passing through only to discover that sometimes where you are trying to run from is where your heart feels at home. 

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