Review: Extracurricular by Rachel Lynn Solomon

About the Book

When a former pop star enrolls in college, the last thing she expects is A-plus chemistry with her psychology professor in this sexy and tender romance from #1 New York Times bestselling author Rachel Lynn Solomon.

“This is Rachel Lynn Solomon at her absolute best: a moving love story between two people learning to trust not only the good in each other, but in themselves.”—Ellen O’Clover, author of The Heartbreak Hotel

Ramona Wilder has spent her whole life in the spotlight. After a hit kids’ TV show, she transitioned into music, singing in arenas around the world and becoming an icon for millions of teenage girls. Now at age twenty-six, exhausted by the inhumane lack of privacy, she’s done—with all of it. She wants a chance at normal, whatever that might mean for her. And she’s starting with college.

Professor Nick Navarro is recently divorced but determinedly optimistic, allowing himself a very reasonable ten minutes per day to wallow. When his department calls a meeting about a celebrity enrollment, he plans to treat whoever it is like any other student. Except when Ramona blazes into class and causes an uproar, the typically easygoing professor is rattled, maybe for the first time in his career.

Ramona loves the way she flusters him, taking every opportunity to push Nick’s buttons, though what she really wants is to unbutton them completely. When a crisis brings them closer outside of class, they begin a tentative friendship amid an undeniable attraction. But Ramona can’t be so easily finished with her old life, and they’ll both have to confront their pasts if they want a chance at something real.

Review

For months, I’ve been waiting to get Extracurricular in my hands, and once I finally got it, I was so excited and dropped everything to curl up and read it. I will admit there was a bit of nerves. A worry that it wouldn’t meet my expectations or that it would fall victim to inconsistent pacing or undeveloped romance. This is one of my first books by Rachel Lynn Solomon, and I wasn’t sure what to expect from her writing. There was no need to worry. Soloman delivered one of my favorite reads of the year. This was a heartfelt, beautifully paced romance filled with emotional depth, unforgettable characters, and a romance that felt completely earned.

The book begins with Ramona walking away from everything she has known to go back to college. It’s a scary choice, but Ramona was completely brave, and watching her try to live a normal life after spending so much of it in the public eye was fascinating. As well as heartbreaking. She had gone through so much, and her story genuinely broke my heart at times. The book doesn’t shy away from exploring the harsh realities of fame and the emotional toll a person can experience because of it. Despite it, she remained funny, sharp-witted, kind, and resilient. Her journey felt so meaningful.

Like Ramona, Nick was on a path of self-discovery. He was recently divorced and had moved in with his sister and niece (special shoutout to his relationship with his niece because it was great). Nick was such an adorable dork. He was also so soft, patient, and supportive. Even before he and Ramona had developed a deeper connection, he was constantly showing up for her.

Nick and Ramona did share an immediate attraction; however, their relationship never did feel rushed. There was room for their connection to grow. For them to learn to trust each other and be vulnerable. There were so many great small moments of them that made their romance feel genuine and elevated them to one of my favorite book couples. The emotional vulnerability between them created such a raw and beautiful love story. Also, the banter? Fantastic!

Final Thoughts

Within a few chapters, I knew that Extracurricular was going to be a hit for me. It is by far one of my favorite books of the year, and I should send a personalized thank-you letter to Rachel Lynn Solomon. This story has taken up a permanent residence in my head. Not only was the writing engaging, but I was also completely blown away by the sharp humor and emotionally grounded characters.

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Review: Apparently, I'm A Bitch by Demi Blaize

About the Book

Nikki is not a bitch… is she?

She thinks she is. Ever since she started working at one of Manhattan’s most prestigious law firms, she’s been questioning everything about herself.

She’s not even sure about her best friend anymore.

After nine years, the tension between her and Tristan is unbearable—and now Tristan can’t stop thinking about her. His obsession with Nikki is getting harder to ignore, and he’s done holding back.

But there’s just one problem: Rochelle Wiener.

She’s trapped Tristan in a fake-dating arrangement that could cost him everything—his coffee shop, his best friend, and every last dollar he’s ever earned. If he doesn’t play along, he’ll lose it all.

And if Nikki finds out… he’ll lose her too.

Apparently, I’m A Bitch is a spicy, swoony, angst-filled romantic comedy about honesty, temptation, and what happens when the truth comes too late.

This spicy best friends to lovers romantic comedy is set in contemporary New York City, and is the first book within the Apparently, We're The Problem series, but can be read as a standalone.

Review

What do you get when you have years of unspoken feelings, bad timing and a fake dating scheme, a chaotic romantic comedy. Apparently, I’m a Bitch, is one of those stories that will bring you in by its humor and witty banter but also pull at your heart a little bit. What begins as a spicy romcom turns into a heartfelt story about friendship, vulnerability and what happens when you keep secrets.

Nikki is a relatable heroine. Despite impressions of her at moments living up to the title, beneath her sharp edges and challenging self-confidence is a woman trying to balance self-discovery and the pressure of a demanding career by holding it all together.

Then there’s Tristan. Get ready. If you’ve ever wanted two friends to get together so badly, it would be these two. They are clearly meant for each other, but they keep finding a way to make things more complicated than it needs to be. As Tristan’s heart grows with the realization of his love for Nikki, that desperate anticipation for that moment when they both confront what has been right in front of them gives you that romantic tension that keeps you wanting to flip the pages.

As to be expected, we are thrown a curve ball. Everything seemed so perfect until it wasn’t. The angst of the fake dating arrangement is the right blend that doesn’t make it predictable. What keeps you interested is the impact of wondering how much longer things can be hidden before it falls apart and the consequences of knowing that it’s that coming but the uncertainty of when keeps you turning wanting more. 

The chemistry between these two is undeniable. What is endearing is their history making their story more investable and meaningful because every moment learning up to confession is all the more special. Satisfying yet frustrating at times, they are sweet, naughty at times but are everything you’d hope in a friends to lovers romance.

If you love best friends to lovers, fake dating tropes, slow burn romance with the right amount of tension, this story balances the laugh out loud moments with emotional depth. Apparently, I’m A Bitch comes through for a good read. It definitely leaves you wanting to find out what happens in the next book in the series. This book deserves a spot on the TBR list.

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Review: Syx and the City by Grey Huffington

About the Book

The odds of Syx Rouge, aspiring fashion illustrator and current assistant to world-renowned vocalist, Amiyah Mallard, indulging in an unsolicited, overly pleasurable, steamy night with a man like Trough were slim to none. However, a slight turn of events redirected the odds in her favor.

Ultra-sexy and centric Syx was at her wits end. Her New Year's celebration had been strategically planned since her older sister, Sevyn, faced her fears and relocated to the Big City. In New York surrounded by laughter, love, music, drinks and the thrill of the people is where Syx desperately wanted to be. Yet, she found herself missing the very last flight bound for the Big City and stranded in Atlanta, GA. A hint of fate scrambled her way as she returned home after discovering her plans were shot. Amiyah Mallard, with her own agenda in mind, forces her husband to give Syx a lift, compliments of his private plane. A slew of unexpected, yet fortunate, occurrences leaves Syx dazed and confused after waking up on New Year's Day in unknown territory, on a dangerously comforting mattress, tangled in Italian sheets with her beloved boss's life partner. Trough Mallard.

Review

I struggled with the writing in Syx and the City. I found myself rereading the first few paragraphs to ensure that I understood what was happening. The sentence structure felt off, and it made it difficult to connect with the story and the main characters. Also, the romance never felt authentic to me. There were too many coincidences, and it made it super hard to fully invest in them and their chemistry.

In the context of a three-book series, I think this is an interesting concept here. It does lay the groundwork for how the other books would play out. And I think that if I read them back-to-back, I would enjoy them, and maybe have gotten used to the writing style.

Final Thoughts

Syx and the City wasn’t for me. There is something interesting here, and maybe one day I could revisit it with a fresh set of eyes and enjoy it a lot more.

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Review: Time Will Tell by Hannah Bonam-Young

About the Book

When a mysterious time capsule leads a Toronto teacher to England, she discovers some loves are worth crossing oceans—and decades—to find, from New York Times bestselling author Hannah Bonam-Young.

When a history teacher receives a letter from her deceased grandmother revealing a secret love affair in the 1950s, it leads her to a time capsule hidden decades ago. But it’s the charming grandson of her grandmother’s lost love who changes everything, proving that sometimes the heart knows exactly where—and when—it belongs.

Hannah Bonam-Young’s Time Will Tell is part of The Improbable Meet-Cute: Second Chances, stories for star-crossed lovers and hopeless romantics. They can be read or listened to in one sitting. Let’s do it again.

Review

Time Will Tell’s premise is the strongest part. It centers on Georgia’s hunt for her grandmother’s long-lost love, and in that journey, she meets the grandson of that love—Callum. Through mostly emails, they connect. Their meet-cute was cute.

Unfortunately, I found myself not enjoying this story as much as I wished. For a short book, I spent the majority of the time bored. And I never felt strong romantic chemistry between Callum and Georgie. Because of that, the buildup to their eventual meeting felt underwhelming instead of exciting or emotional.

Final Thoughts

Time Will Tell lacked tension and never fully delivered on the anticipation or emotional payoff I had hoped for. The concept was nice, and although there might be some sweeter moments, this story didn’t leave a lasting impression for me.

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Review: Cinder by Hailey Rogers

About the Book

A single dad x nanny, small town firefighter romance

I’m exhausted by all the different versions of myself I’ve spent years trying to be.

Dutiful stepdaughter, polished girlfriend. The woman who keeps smiling through dinner parties and business meetings while feeling absolutely nothing underneath.

So I sell my share of my late father’s business, and leave Toronto for Maplewood. All I bring with me is a bag of clothes, my mother's sparkly heels, and the blue-tipped hair I only dyed because my stepmother hated it.

Maplewood is supposed to be my fresh start. A quiet little town where nobody expects me to be anyone but myself.

Then I meet Evan Prince, a grumpy firefighter who definitely isn't charming—though his five-year-old daughter Elle certainly is.

Soon I'm falling into their mornings filled with penguin-shaped pancakes, their quiet afternoons beside the lake, and a midnight date that has Maplewood feeling less like a place I escaped to, and more like somewhere I belong.

Somewhere I want to stay.

But when one terrible night leaves our lives tangled in grief, every fear of being unlucky for the people I love comes rushing back.

The problem is, a cinder still glows after everything else turns to ash.

And firefighters run toward things worth saving.

Review

Cinder was a great start for the Maplewood Fire series. I’m ready and so very excited to see what comes next in this series. Roger has done such a great job introducing and developing these characters. I feel that this will be one of my favorite series as I continue to read.

From the beginning, I was sucked into the narrative by Penny’s words and personality. Despite how unfairly she was treated in the past, she remained calm and kind. She also had such a determination to live her life how she wanted to. I do wish we had gotten to see her discover a passion or hobby that was entirely her own. I kept waiting for that full circle moment of self-discovery. Also, I would have loved a little more exploration of her family dynamics. They had heavily impacted her life, and that storyline felt a little incomplete.

Evan was a great MMC. He’s grumpy but in a protective way. It made so much sense for him as a character given what him and Elle (his daughter, who was super adorable. Extra stars for her and Penny’s sweet relationship) have gone through. One thing I loved about him is that his priorities always centered around his daughter and eventually Penny.  He was supportive, dependable, and gave everything his full effort. He is THE #1 Dad. I also really enjoyed his relationship with the other firefighters. It felt like a true family that had experienced laughter, joy, and heartache together. And that makes the last act of this story so heartbreaking.

I hadn’t seen that last act coming. I was on the edge of my seat, holding my breath in, and trying not to cry as the suspense ramped up. I will say that the darker moments were handled well, and I hope the next books continue to explore the emotional impact of what happened.

As for the romance—no complaints. It was beautifully paced. Evan and Penny’s relationship developed naturally. I loved watching them gradually trust one another before falling in love. They had so many sweet domestic moments that I ate up. Their romance felt so genuine, and Penny fit so perfectly into Evan and Elle’s lives.

Final Thoughts

Cinder was great. The only real criticism I have is that I wish Penny's personal journey had explored more of her passions beyond the romance. Other than that, I loved this story. It’s a beautiful story with lovable characters. The found family aspect is strong, and the romance felt earned. I loved the subtle references to Cinderella, especially the shoes and how in one scene, Elle even wore them. It showcased the family that Penny had stumbled upon and the life she and Evan were building. Thank you, Luna Literary and Hailey Rogers for providing this ARC. Cinder releases on July 9! Run, don’t walk to grab your copy. You won’t regret it.

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Review: Save a Horse, Keep the Cowboy by Jessica Peterson/Staycation by Sarah Grunder Ruiz

About the Book: Save a Horse, Keep the Cowboy (Summer Lovin' collection) by Jessica Peterson

New York Times bestselling author Jessica Peterson’s short story of a ride through first love into forever follows a country music star who returns home for a family affair—and faces the cowboy who once watched her walk away.

Josie Reid abandoned her Texas hometown six years ago, when Weston Jessup chose his family’s ranch over her. Now a country music sensation, she’s back where it all started to officiate her brother’s wedding. Wes is the best man, and he’s determined to make things right. But can he convince Josie to give him another shot, or is their love song played out?

Jessica Peterson’s Save a Horse, Keep the Cowboy is part of Summer Lovin’, a sweet and sultry collection of short summer romances that turn up the heat—and the heart. Read or listen to each short story in one easy, breezy sitting.

About the Book: Summer Staycation (Summer Lovin' collection) by Sarah Grunder Ruiz

In Sarah Grunder Ruiz’s sweet summer fling of a short story, a neurodivergent heroine meets a kind out-of-towner who’s just what she needs to shake up her life—and makes her feel like she’s finally on solid ground.

If you ask Beck Penrose, Florida summers aren’t relaxing so much as roller coasters of sensory overload. But her nervous system settles down with Lucas Holiday, a travel blogger who gets her like no one else does. It’s easy to say yes to living like tourists for a weekend. But it’s harder to say goodbye when that weekend comes to an end.

Sarah Grunder Ruiz’s Summer Staycation is part of Summer Lovin’, a sweet and sultry collection of short summer romances that turn up the heat—and the heart. Read or listen to each short story in one easy, breezy sitting.

Review

So far, I have read two installments of the Summer Lovin’ Collection, and while my feelings are mixed, I don’t particularly dislike this collection.

Save a Horse, Keep the Cowboy was the weakest of the two for me. I found Weston’s effort to win Josie back sweet; however, I never fully connected to their romance. The story lacked the depth and substance needed to make their relationship truly resonate with me. There needed to be a few more pages to flesh out the story. I will admit that it definitely had summer vibes and was an easy and quick read.

Of the two stories, Summer Staycation was easily my favorite. Beck and Lucas were absolutely adorable together, and it's honestly a crime that this wasn't expanded into a full-length novel. I would gladly read an entire book dedicated to their relationship. I loved Beck as a lead and how much she knew what she liked. While Lucas wasn't quite as fully developed as Beck, he was incredibly sweet, patient, and understanding of her needs. Had this story been given the space to fully explore their relationship, it could have been something truly special.

Final Thoughts

Save a Horse, Keep the Cowboy was an easygoing summer read; however, it wasn’t exactly memorable. Whereas, in addition to feeling like summer, Summer Staycation completely stole my heart and left me wanting more. I'm looking forward to seeing what the rest of the collection has to offer.

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