Category: A Hot Chick Who Reads

This Chick’s Audio Review: The True Love Experiment by Christina Lauren

Felicity “Fizzy” Chen is a bestselling romance author but she’s feeling dissatisfied with her life. When she’s asked to give a commencement speech she realizes that although she has felt desire, she’s never actually been in love. Connor Prince is a documentary filmmaker and father to an adorable little girl, doesn’t have time for romantic love. When his boss tells him that he needs to come up with a concept for a reality dating show he meets Fizzy and thinks it would be awesome to help her find her true love. She rejects his pitch, but thinks it would be fun to string him along with ridiculous demands. When he agrees to them, she agrees to film the show. Of course, it’s not the bachelors that she falls for, is it?

What a fun novel! Fizzy’s demands includes bachelors who fill romance novel archetypes; vampire, nerd, the one who got away, etc. These 8 bachelors made for great reading, but it was really Fizzy and Connor’s romance that created the heat in this book. Connor, with his British accent, dark good looks, and DILF/lumberjack/nerd qualities. Connor’s narrator was Jonathon Cole who nailed that British charm, and Fizzy’s crazy- kookiness was narrated by Cindy Kay who I must now look up, she was that talented. I loved the back and forth chapters so that we could get in each of our main characters brains. I really relied on that insight in those later chapters when the reality show plot was wrapping up.

Even though this is a stand alone novel, it’s really the second book to The Soulmate Equation. River Peña’s technology for finding your perfect match is used to see if the audience chooses Fizzy’s match, and he and Jess are important side characters as Fizzy’s best friend. Every romance novel needs a best friend who provides sage advice and Jess is that person (as is her daughter Juno!) to Fizzy. There is one particular scene when Fizzy is babysitting Juno and gets pinned down by her questions about Connor that I found particularly funny and gave Fizzy pause to think about her feelings. It was a clever scene that rang true. Kids say the darndest things, right?

This book was funny, emotional, sizzling hot, and dreamy. I just loved every bit of it and I know I’ll be reading it again soon. Right after I read The Soulmate Equation. That book was awesome too!

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Click this link to purchase this book!* The True Love Experiment

Copyright 2023 The Reading Chick All Rights Reserved

*Amazon Associate- if you purchase this book through the above link I’ll receive a small stipend.

On By deborahkehoeIn A Hot Chick Who Reads

This Chick Read: Next-Door Nemesis by Alexa Martin

After her rant in public goes viral, Collins Carter moves back home to Ohio and into her childhood bedroom in the subdivision where her parents live. As if that isn’t bad enough, she runs into her high school frenemy Nate Adams at the neighborhood coffee shop and they immediately draw sparks. When he hands her an HOA violation and threatens her parents garden the gloves are off. Collins decides to run for HOA president against Nate and the fight is on.

Collins Carter is over the top, dramatic, and the person you want on your side in a fight. I think Nate figures this out pretty quickly when she challenges him over everything. As they argued (and argued, and argued) their past was revealed and you could tell how hurt Collins was over her ex-best friend ghosting her when they were kids. Despite that, I was watching the page numbers wondering how long it would take before her witchy friendliness turned them from frenemies back to friends. It took a touch too long but when it did happen I finally settled into the plot. I love sassy heroines but Collins was next level!

Nate couldn’t have been any more the opposite of Collins. He was a khaki wearing, straight laced, steady, calm man. Actually, very similar to her own father now that I think of it. They complimented each other well and once they got over their hurt with each other they suited each other. I kind of wished he was a little more heroic maybe, but there wasn’t anything wrong with a normal guy as a hero. She carried all the attitude in that pairing that’s for sure.

I thought this was a fun, quick read, pretty similar to other novels by this author. I can think of a few that touched my heart a little bit more but this was an entertaining weekend read! ❤️❤️❤️❣️

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review and it was honest!

Click this link to purchase this book!!* Next-Door Nemesis

Copyright 2023 The Reading Chick All Rights Reserved

*Amazon Associate- if you purchase this book through the above link I’ll receive a small stipend.

On By deborahkehoeIn A Hot Chick Who Reads1 Comment

It’s Monday, what are you reading? (11/13/23)

I like to listen to books I’ve read before because I can easily catch up to the plot if my attention strays from what I’m listening to. One of the books I just finished was an audiobook. I had read the book not too long ago and was looking forward to re-capturing what I liked about the story and maybe hearing a few things that I missed when reading it. What I forgot about was that I really don’t like this narrator. She’s alright with the female voices but she does not have a talent for doing male voices and it’s so distracting. I think I forget about how I feel until I go to listen to a book in this series again and then kick myself over wasting the credit. Regardless, the story is actually very good. Here’s what I’ve been up to.

JUST FINISHED

Yeah, not a huge fan of this narrator but am a very big fan of the author. This series has done a great job of growing the main character Eileen, a brand new vampire who still has ties to the human world but has also quickly come to grips with being a spook. Listening to an audiobook always gives me a glimpse of a few things that I miss when reading a book. I love finding those little moments!

JUST STARTED

I have been on a big Jill Shalvis kick lately so I was excited to receive an advance reader copy of her newest book out next month. I haven’t read more than a few pages but I know that I will get the comfort, from the heart, romance that she so consistently delivers. I can’t wait to read this one!

I hope you had a wonderful weekend and your Monday is off to a great start.

Deb

On By deborahkehoeIn A Hot Chick Who Reads

This Chick Read: Check & Mate by Ali Hazelwood

Mallory Greenleaf gave up chess four years ago but her best friend has asked her to take an open spot on her team in a charity tournament and guilted her into playing. As she knocks off one challenger after another she finds herself facing the #1 player in the world, the “kingkiller”, Nolan Sawyer… and wipes the board with him. Nolan’s loss to an unknown player shocks the world and Mallory is drawn back into the life she’d once left and cash prizes she can receive to help support her struggling family. Keeping it all a secret from her family is imperative but when Nolan shows up at her door imploring her for a game that secret is threatened.

I loved this first YA novel by Ali Hazelwood. I say YA, but really this reads as an adult novel with characters who face adult issues. They only thing that’s YA about it is the age of the characters who are in their late teens and early twenties. If you’re a fan of The Queen’s Gambit, as I was, this novel reminded me that I don’t know a bit about chess but the strategy, skill, and drama can be riveting despite my lack of knowledge. Mallory’s life was decimated by her parents tragic divorce – all tied to the game she loved, so she dropped it like a hot potato and was determined to put the past behind her and help her ill mother support the family. Fortunately, she was drawn back into the chess world and Nolan Sawyer took and interest in this young lady. Despite him being a good guy, there were classic moments of good vs. evil and our Mallory dueled it out on the chess board. What fun!

Nolan was a pretty typical Ali Hazelwood character, but had his own tragic past that kept him separated emotionally from his pretty solid group of friends. He was everything a hero should be, handsome and loyal, but he was also pretty secretive, which made for some great conflict and resolutions. He was very well matched in skill with Mallory and it was nice to see that he wasn’t threatened, but relished the challenge. I loved this healthy relationship that helped each of them deal with their troublesome pasts.

This novel, like I said above, is a young adult novel, and is in comparison to adult novels pretty clean. I would consider it a slow burn romance, but there is some sizzle towards the latter part of the book so if you’re looking for clean, this may not be a good fit. For me, it was the perfect mix of relationship building, conflict, drama, and heat. Check & Mate was the perfect play and one helluva a good story.

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review and it was honest.

Click this link to purchase this book!* Check & Mate

Copyright 2023 The Reading Chick All Rights Reserved

*Amazon Associate- if you purchase this book through the above link I’ll receive a small stipend.

On By deborahkehoeIn A Hot Chick Who Reads

This Chick Read: Hunt on Dark Waters (Crimson Sails #1) by Katee Robert

Evelyn is a witch with questionable decision-making skills. When she decides to steal from her vampire ex she escapes through a portal into another dimension and lands right in the middle of the ocean. Rescued by pirates, she’s told she must join the crew who work for the Cwn Annwn, or die. She of course chooses life, figuring she’d find a way out of this mess and this dimension. What she doesn’t count on is being attracted to Bowen, the captain of the ship and her mischief making causes him to question the rules he’s always followed.

I usually love fantasy novels but I’ll admit, I had a really hard time liking this one. I’ve never read a novel by this author and from what I’ve heard, this is very different from the novels she usually writes. Kudos to her for trying something new, but for me it just fell flat. I couldn’t connect with Evelyn, and kind of disliked her too. That’s a problem because it affected my response to the rest of the book. The romance then felt unrealistic, Bowen wasn’t heroic enough, and the world-building felt a bit undefined. I did finish the book, but it was a struggle. I hoped it would get better but the writing never elevated the characters and setting to something that would keep my interest.

I do believe that our own life experiences, likes, and dislikes, mean that each one of us is different and will like different books. Please read this one and decide for yourself if it’s the right book for you. It just wasn’t for me. ❤️❤️❣️

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review and it was honest!

Click this link to purchase this book!* Hunt on Dark Waters

Copyright 2023 The Reading Chick All Rights Reserved

*Amazon Associate- if you purchase this book through the above link I’ll receive a small stipend.

On By deborahkehoeIn A Hot Chick Who Reads

This Chick Read: The Beautiful and the Wild by Peggy Townsend

Liv Russell is being held hostage in a shipping container turned storage shed by the man she once loved, and the father of her child, her husband Mark. After faking his own death, Liv happens upon a clue that makes her think her husband Mark is still alive. Leaving their home behind, Liv packs up the car with her belongings and her son, Xander and drives to Alaska to the small town of Cohut where she finds Mark shacking up with a young woman. Confronting him, he tricks her into the storage container and locks her in, where she remains for days, trying to figure a way out.

The pace of this novel is very slow and methodical, which fits with the actions taking place. There is a bit of set up and flashbacks to Liv and Mark’s previous life, but in present time, locked in a container, there isn’t a lot of action. This may bother some people but I must’ve been in the mood to read a psychological thriller because this pace helped me settle in and get into these character’s heads. While Liv isn’t the heroine that I normally root for, her situation of being trapped and separation from her special needs child, Xander made me curious to see where this author was going to take this story. I will admit, I didn’t expect it to head in the direction it did.

Usually flashbacks annoy the heck out of me, but it was a great tool to show the difference between Liv as she was when she and Mark met, and the woman who came to Alaska and found herself in this situation. The flashbacks also showed contrasts between what Liv thought of as charm but should have been warning signs in the man she came to love. Mark’s slow dissolution from loving husband to what he becomes later in this novel was deftly written and if you have the patience, I think worth the slow build up to the conclusion.

This was not the type of thriller where people are in chases, fights, etc. This is a true psychological thriller that was slow paced and very well written. ❤️❤️❤️❤️

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley and the publisher for an honest review and it was honest.

Click this link to purchase this book!* The Beautiful and the Wild

Copyright 2023 The Reading Chick All Rights Reserved

*Amazon Associate- if you purchase this book through the above link I’ll receive a small stipend.

On By deborahkehoeIn A Hot Chick Who Reads

End Game (New York Stars #1) by G. A. Mazurke

Hockey runs in the Bukowski family’s blood. All three sons play professional hockey and growing up their family billeted other young hockey stars. Then there’s Gracie, who knows more about hockey than anyone but is set aside by everyone, including her family. Liam is one of the hockey players that grew up living with Gracie’s family. When he was younger they were best friends but as he got older he became friendly with her brother Kow and slowly dropped Gracie. Now that he’s playing pro he realizes she is the one that he let get away and now that he’s been transferred to the New York Stars where Gracie lives he’s determined to get her back.

This book came on my radar through an article or blog about great sports romances and I have to say that I would have to agree. There is a lot of sports in this romance, mostly because that’s part of Gracie’s personality. Growing up in a hockey household, she has the eye of a coach and gives her brothers, including Liam, tips about their playing that has helped them tremendously throughout their careers. Unfortunately for them, she delivers the news in a brash, blunt manner. That is Gracie. She doesn’t hold her punches and her family doesn’t really understand her. This has caused problems with her three brothers, but not the billeted players like Liam who’ve lived in her household. Liam in particular, loves this about Gracie. I love that about him- he sees her as she is and loves her despite these characteristics.

There is an interesting plot point that causes psychological conflict for Liam. He was kidnapped off the streets, tortured, and held for ransom because of his high profile status. This kidnapping has made him suspicious, paranoid, and uneasy about life. If this is a trigger for you, you may want to avoid this novel, but I thought this was a really interesting aspect to his character that I wanted to know more about. How would Gracie handle this quality? Does this make him crazy or is he still a lovable guy? All of these things ran through my head while reading making this a rather unique read.

Needless to say there is a lot of emotional drama due to the kidnapping, and Gracie’s relationship with her own family, but the bond between Liam and Gracie is the important one and that felt pretty special. With the exception of the drunk scene at the beginning of the novel, I really enjoyed this story. That first scene just didn’t fit the feel of the rest of the novel and I wish it had been thrown out in edits. The rest of the story was great. I’ll definitely be looking for a book #2 in this series and will be looking at this author’s other novels under the name Serena Akeroyd. If they’re all like this one, I’ve got a bit of reading in front of me! ❤️❤️❤️❤️

Click this link to purchase this book!* End Game

Copyright 2023 The Reading Chick All Rights Reserved

*Amazon Associate- if you purchase this book through the above link I’ll receive a small stipend

On By deborahkehoeIn A Hot Chick Who Reads

This Chick Read: Reminders of Him by Colleen Hoover

Kenna Rowan returns to town after serving five years for a tragic mistake. Wanting the chance to be near her daughter she is shut out by everyone except bar owner, Ledger Ward. Ledger sees Kenna’s trying to start a life and wonders if the way she is being treated by everyone would hurt Scotty, who had loved her, but if he cracks that door open Ledger could lose the trust of those he loves, including her daughter.

This was such a simple story, but Colleen Hoover’s ability to create complex characters and draw readers into the intricacies behind their actions, made this simple story simply spellbinding. The reader is kept dark about why Kenna went to jail and given only glimpses. Her regret and love for Scotty kept alive by the journal entries she writes to him daily, revealing small pieces of their story. At the same time we see her everyday life, interactions with Ledger, the folks around her in the apartment complex where she lives and we draw our own conclusions that this is a young woman who may have done wrong but was also wronged and deserves forgiveness and trust. The moment when Ledger finally realizes that their perception of what happened was actually incorrect and he finds forgiveness for her, is absolutely gripping. I realized at that moment the talent in this author’s writing.

There’s something to be said for an author who can make the reader love not only a current love interest but a past one too. Through everyone’s eyes, we see what a great guy Scotty was, the cruelty in the fact that he died too young, and also how Ledger has tried to stand in for him with Scotty’s parents and daughter. Ledger too showed qualities that made me feel like it was ok that Kenna moves on from her lost love to this new one. It’s only because the author made that connection that allowed the reader to move forward with Kenna. I think a lesser author would’ve left the reader going, what? She’s moving on already? After all those feelings? Somehow I was ok with it all, and then of course Ledger’s relationship with Diem, Kenna and Scotty’s daughter, was the final piece that made the puzzle whole.

This story was angst filled, but had an honest and real feel. Life can change in a moment and one mistake should not identify who that person is for the rest of their life. I loved the message of love and forgiveness that this book told. That was the real story.

❤️❤️❤️❤️

Click this link to purchase this book!* Reminders of Him

Copyright 2023 The Reading Chick All Rights Reserved

*Amazon Associate- if you purchase this book through the above link I’ll receive a small stipend.

On By deborahkehoeIn A Hot Chick Who Reads

It’s Monday, what are you reading? (10/30/23)

I picked up an older novel by a favorite author that I hadn’t yet read. I wondered how I missed this one in a series where I read the majority. I was in the mood for something comfortable, where I knew the author would deliver a good novel. I was absolutely correct and enjoyed it tremendously. Isn’t the the best thing when you know you’ll like a book because the author is so danged consistent? Here’s a peek into what I’ve been reading…

JUST FINISHED

Yes it was Jill Shalvis that I was talking about above. Her novels have the best friendships and the romance makes you feel good. I actually love that I missed a few of the books in this series and have those to look forward to reading, now that they’re back on my radar.

JUST STARTED

Speaking of dependable, Nora Roberts’ romantic suspense novels are always fun to read. I just started this novel, but I already like the strong heroine, her ghost filled manor house, and the prospect of romance with an attractive hero. Plus the cover is just gorgeous, isn’t it?

Have a great Monday and happy reading!

Deb

On By deborahkehoeIn A Hot Chick Who Reads

This Chicks Sunday Commentary: My Top 5 Most Anticipated Book Releases- Nov’23

You can definitely tell we are getting close to the holidays. There are some great titles being released in anticipation of the need to purchases some books as gifts. When checking out the lists there are several from my own TBR that may need to be transferred over to my husband “Presents for Deb” list. Here are my top 5.

#5 BOOK RELEASE

I do love a good enemies to lovers trope and Alexa Martin has become a go-to author for a quick romance fix. This synopsis has me hooked!

Synopsis:

After years of hustling, Collins Carter has finally made it…back to her parents’ house. Between tending to the compost with her newly retired dad and running into her high school nemesis at the only decent coffee shop in town, Collins realizes this subdivision from hell she swore she’d never return to is her rock bottom.

Then the homeowner’s association complaint arrived.

Nathaniel Adams always dreamed of a nice, quiet life in his suburban hometown. Or at least that’s what he thought until Collins moved back and sent his quaint, organized life into a tailspin. He thought Collins was infuriating ten years ago, but when she announces she’s running against him for HOA president, all bets are off.

From secret board meetings to vicious smear campaigns whispered over backyard fences, Collins and Nate sink to levels their sleepy suburb has never seen before. But as hate turns into lust, these two enemies are forced to reckon with the feelings they’ve ignored for years. If only there were bylaws for real life.

Click this link to purchase this book!* Next-Door Nemesis

#4 BOOK RELEASE

Boy, don’t we all wish at times to skip our lives to the good part? That’s the premise behind this rom-com, but of course, our heroine starts wondering about all the bits she missed. Sophie Cousens always has a mystical element in her plots. I’m looking forward to reading this one!

Synopsis: Is living the life you’ve wished for really a dream come true?

Lucy Young is twenty-six and tired. Tired of fetching coffees for senior TV producers, sick of going on disastrous dates, and done with living in a damp flat with roommates who never buy toilet paper. After another disappointing date, Lucy stumbles upon a wishing machine. Pushing a coin into the slot, Lucy closes her eyes and wishes with all her might: Please, let me skip to the good part of my life.

When she wakes the next morning to a handsome man, a ring on her finger, a high-powered job, and two storybook-perfect children, Lucy can’t believe this is real—especially when she looks in the mirror, and staring back is her own fortysomething face. Has she really skipped ahead like she’s always wanted, or has she simply forgotten a huge chunk of her life? As Lucy begins to embrace new relationships and the perks of maturity, she’ll have to ask herself: Can she go back to her previous life, and if so, can she stand to leave the good part behind?

Click this link to purchase this book!* The Good Part

*Amazon associate- if you purchase a book through one of the associated links I’ll receive a small stipend.

#3 BOOK RELEASE

A little bit mystery, and I’m sure a big hint of romantic suspense. I love this style of Nora Roberts book and I can’t wait to get my hands on it and dig in!

Synopsis: 1806: Astrid Poole sits in her bridal clothes, overwhelmed with happiness. But before her marriage can be consummated, she is murdered, and the circle of gold torn from her finger. Her last words are a promise to Collin never to leave him…

Graphic designer Sonya MacTavish is stunned to learn that her late father had a twin he never knew about—and that her newly discovered uncle, Collin Poole, has left her almost everything he owned, including a majestic Victorian house on the Maine coast, which the will stipulates she must live in it for at least three years. Her engagement recently broken, she sets off to find out why the boys were separated at birth—and why it was all kept secret until a genealogy website brought it to light.

Trey, the young lawyer who greets her at the sprawling clifftop manor, notes Sonya’s unease—and acknowledges that yes, the place is haunted…but just a little. Sure enough, Sonya finds objects moved and music playing out of nowhere. She sees a painting by her father inexplicably hanging in her deceased uncle’s office, and a portrait of a woman named Astrid, whom the lawyer refers to as “the first lost bride.” It’s becoming clear that Sonya has inherited far more than a house. She has inherited a centuries-old curse, and a puzzle to be solved if there is any hope of breaking it…

Click this link to purchase this book!* Inheritance

#2 BOOK RELEASE

I was fortunate to get an advanced reader copy of this novel. Guys, it is soo good! I never knew I’d like the subject of chess so much. Of course, there’s a bit of romance involved too…

Synopsis: Mallory Greenleaf is done with chess. Every move counts nowadays; after the sport led to the destruction of her family four years earlier, Mallory’s focus is on her mom, her sisters, and the dead-end job that keeps the lights on. That is, until she begrudgingly agrees to play in one last charity tournament and inadvertently wipes the board with notorious “Kingkiller” Nolan Sawyer: current world champion and reigning Bad Boy of chess.

Nolan’s loss to an unknown rook-ie shocks everyone. What’s even more confusing? His desire to cross pawns again. What kind of gambit is Nolan playing? The smart move would be to walk away. Resign. Game over. But Mallory’s victory opens the door to sorely needed cash-prizes and despite everything, she can’t help feeling drawn to the enigmatic strategist….

As she rockets up the ranks, Mallory struggles to keep her family safely separated from the game that wrecked it in the first place. And as her love for the sport she so desperately wanted to hate begins to rekindle, Mallory quickly realizes that the games aren’t only on the board, the spotlight is brighter than she imagined, and the competition can be fierce (-ly attractive. And intelligent…and infuriating…)

Click this link to purchase this book!* Check & Mate

MY TOP BOOK RELEASE OF NOV’23

The first novel in this series, Fourth Wing, was non-stop and so much fun. Plus there are dragons! Can’t wait for this sequel to hit my kindle next month.

Synopsis: Everyone expected Violet Sorrengail to die during her first year at Basgiath War College—Violet included. But Threshing was only the first impossible test meant to weed out the weak-willed, the unworthy, and the unlucky.

Now the real training begins, and Violet’s already wondering how she’ll get through. It’s not just that it’s grueling and maliciously brutal, or even that it’s designed to stretch the riders’ capacity for pain beyond endurance. It’s the new vice commandant, who’s made it his personal mission to teach Violet exactly how powerless she is–unless she betrays the man she loves.

Although Violet’s body might be weaker and frailer than everyone else’s, she still has her wits—and a will of iron. And leadership is forgetting the most important lesson Basgiath has taught her: Dragon riders make their own rules.

But a determination to survive won’t be enough this year.

Because Violet knows the real secret hidden for centuries at Basgiath War College—and nothing, not even dragon fire, may be enough to save them in the end.

Click this link to purchase this book!* Iron Flame

On By deborahkehoeIn A Hot Chick Who Reads