This Chick Read: Only In Your Dreams (Oakwood #1) by Ellie K. Wilde

Melody Woods is back in her small town of Oakwood Bay after avoiding coming home after one of the most heartbreaking nights of her life. Now, dumped by her boyfriend, broke, and trying to figure out her next step, Melody is forced to ask her twin brother to let her live with him while she plans her next move. He agrees but in return he makes her take his place on a camping trip with his buddies. Not having a choice, Melody agrees but when she comes face to face with Zac Porter, her brothers childhood best friend and the man who broke her young heart she has second thoughts about the situation. When she and Zac get stranded at their campsite there’s no choice but to call a truce. Zac, however, considers this his chance to redeem himself and possibly make it impossible for Melody to leave town again.

I actually feel like this is one of those instances where the cover does the story a little bit of a disservice. It gives the impression of a light-hearted romance when in fact, this story has a lot of depth and emotional weight. Melody is in a bad place emotionally after her break-up from her boyfriend of six years. As she comes to terms with it, she’s realizing that she was being mentally and emotionally abused for years. So much so that at first, she has trouble making any decisions on her own. What to dress, eat, do with her free time- they were all things that her ex used to decide for her. When Zac and her friends realize what had happened to her they rallied around her helping her come to grips with that revelation. It is literally about 50% through the book before our heroine is in any kind of mindset to see Zac as something other than the first boy to betray her. I actually loved that the cover misled me and I think, enjoyed the story even more because of it.

Melody’s growth through the novel added to my love for her as a heroine. She started off in such a bad place emotionally and it was great to see her take those steps towards independence and believing she could give herself the kind of life she wanted. I loved Zac as well but for different reasons. He had always loved Melody and despite his screw-up he wasn’t going to back down from taking his shot with her. He did that, but in a way that was gentle and sweet. He showed her that he would always have her back even if that meant she found her strength and needed to leave Oakwood Bay. Who doesn’t love a supportive, sweet, hero?

So, if like me you were looking for a light and sweet romance, rest assured there is plenty of that in this novel, but there’s a lot more too. This story has a strong plot, a couple who get their redemption arc, and a heroine who finds her strength with the help of a good man. It’s even better than that cover leads you to think. ❤️❤️❤️❤️

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

Click this link to purchase this book!* Only In Your Dreams

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This Chick Read: Love on Paper by Danielle Parker

Macy’s parents are both best-selling authors, which is a lot to live up to when you, too want to be a writer. When she gets into an exclusive four week writing camp with other young writers she is excited but at the same time feels the pressure of living up to her mother’s expectations. When their writing genre is revealed to be romance, a subject she knows nothing about, her fears of not being able to live up to the challenge cause a case of writers block. Until she meets her critique partner, Caleb, who has similar issues to her own and they’re willing to overlook their parents beef with each other to help each other write the best romance- as well as solve a small mystery that gets thrown their way.

For such a simple story about two kids at a writing camp, there was a lot going on both emotionally and with the plot. Macy and Caleb’s parents having issues with each other, Macy’s relationship with her mother, Caleb’s dealing with his mom’s recent death, writing a romance, and solving a mystery that involves their families. Whew! There was barely enough time for Macy and Caleb to do all that plus develop feelings for each other in a four week time period. Somehow, the author, and these characters, ended up doing it all culminating in a sweet young adult novel that teaches a few life lessons along the way.

The mystery I was alluding to is what held my interest through this novel. It allowed the two main characters to actually act like young kids, finding corners to hold hands and smooch, breaking and entering, doing socially silly things, then of course find clues that help them both figure out some of their emotional issues with their parental units. It was a little bit like floating down a lazy river with a ton or twists and turns, but eventually the characters got their conflicts solved and the plot concluded nicely if not totally at a pace that pleased my style of reading. As this is a very clean, sweet, young adult novel, the pace fit the plot and characters very well. ❤️❤️❤️❣️

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

Click this link to purchase this book!* Love on Paper

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

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This Chick Read: Better Than Friends (Sunrise Cove #7) by Jill Shalvis

Olive Porter left town after an embarrassing incident and never expected to return, but her best friend needs her and she flies in from London to help take care of their family while her friends husband recuperates from a bad work accident. She knows facing the townsfolk will be daunting but at least she won’t have to face her ex Noah. Until he shows up to do the exact same thing as she- to help their friends through this tough time. Despite their still having chemistry, Olive is determined to avoid Noah as much as possible, something that’s hard to do when they are sharing a bathroom! When her parents go missing she realizes that she may need her ex and his investigative skills to help her find them.

I know I’m repeating myself but this is how I feel about reading a Jill Shalvis novel. When you read one of her books you know you’re going to get a novel about great friendships, overcoming obstacles and learning a life lesson, and some kooky people in town that will stick their noses into your business- all with good intentions! Better Than Friends certainly has all of the above, with the addition of a story written from two perspectives, so you really understand where each character is coming from and their intentions, way before the characters in the story. Her books are steady, loving, and funny and Better Than Friends is also all of these things.

Olive Porter’s reasons for leaving town seem pretty minor and well, kind of juvenile, so it’s nice to see that she seems to be the only person who really cares about all of these “embarrassing” things that made her pack up and leave. Despite Noah’s reservations over seeing the woman who broke his heart he doesn’t turn his back on her when she needs him and as they solve the mystery of her missing parents they also solve their unresolved feelings. I love a well developed, quickly resolved romance. ❤️❤️❤️❤️

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

Click this link to purchase this book!* Better Than Friends

Copyright 2025 The Reading Chick All Rights Reserved

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

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This Chick Read: Accidentally Amy by Lynn Painter

It’s the first day that her local coffee shop has released the pumpkin spice latte, and even though she’s running slightly behind for her new job, Izzy knows that PSL will start her day off right. What she didn’t count on is the very long line, so when she hears a PSL order for Amy get called out and Amy doesn’t respond, Izzy takes that drink. Then immediately dumps it down the shirt of the tall, dark, and handsome man standing behind her. After a little flirtation and some hopefulness of running into him again in the future she dashes out the door to her new job. Only to find out that he’s her new boss- and he doesn’t like the fact that she took “Amy’s” PSL, instead of waiting for her own. Blake Phillips does not like liars, and he has now slotted her into the liar column, and despite her apologies there she will remain.

I’m a sucker for a good enemies to lovers trope and Lynn Painter did right by me with this rom-com. Izzy was no mouse, and despite some snark she and Blake’s dialog was sassy and fun and I loved how Izzy was able to overcome that bad first impression, and buck Blake’s very strong moral code. Of course, secretly, Blake also wanted to find a reason to break his code as well. Their chemistry was off the charts and as they spent more time together it became hard to just stay “friends”. This novel was a lot of fun, easy to read, and very clever. If you’re in the mood for some light-hearted fun with a but of snark and sassy- you don’t need to look any further! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❣️

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

Click this link to purchase this book!* Accidentally Amy

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

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This Chick Read: Once Smitten, Twice Shy (Wilmot Sisters #3) by Chloe Liese

Once a hopeless romantic, Juliet Wilmot has sworn off love. Burned by her previous relationship she doesn’t trust her heart and doesn’t want to take any more chances with it. Will Orsino knows romance isn’t in his future but for the sake of his family business he knows he needs a partner to help out and he’s open to a marriage of convenience. When they keep running into each other Juliet and will strike up a bargain. They’ll practice with each other to help build up trust to go out into the world and find their person, but what happens when practice makes perfect?

The characters in Chloe Liese’s novels are always so interesting with real life issues that give their story more depth. Will is neuro-divergent and is on the autism scale and Chloe has a debilitating form of joint disease that makes movement painful. As someone who suffers from arthritis I found it really interesting to read about a character who suffers similarly. How does her pain affect her relationship with Will? How do they both help navigate each others problems and emotions? It certainly adds to the story in a very realistic way.

I’ve enjoyed the Wilmot sisters novels because these ladies are straight shooters and don’t take lip from anyone. Juliet seemed to be the most romantic in nature and her heartbreak could’ve caused more than a few small trust issues. Thankfully the author didn’t keep us waiting too long before the characters realized where their emotions were leading them. Maybe because of this there was a little lack in tension which gave the other two novels more of a conclusive feel to the two partners coming together. I think that would be my only criticism for this novel. They were both just so nice and there wasn’t a whole lot of conflict. Other than that it was an enjoyable 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!* Once Smitten, Twice Shy

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

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This Chick’s Audio Review: The Sam Quinn series by Seana Kelly

Thanks to my sister who pointed me in the direction of these audiobooks, I spent a few weeks immersed in this really great paranormal fantasy series by Seana Kelly. The heroine, Sam Quinn, runs a bookstore/bar called the Slaughtered Lamb, which caters to the local San Francisco paranormal community. I’m talking fae, werewolves, vampires, mermaids, etc. You name it and that species frequents her bar. Learning about all of these species and the way this author imagined them captured my imagination and held my interest.

There are seven books in the series, the first being ‘The Slaughtered Lamb’ and the seventh ‘The Bloody Ruin’. All are narrated by the very talented Samantha Desz, who imbues the character of Sam Quinn with such humanity, even though she is a werewolf-witch hybrid. There is a ton of humor in these novels and the narrator is spot on with the snarky dialog, accents, and good vs. evil personas. I was hooked from the first chapter and spent all of my time with this fascinating new character- watching her evolve, fight to survive everyone who is trying to kill her, and fall in love with Clive- the Master Vampire of San Francisco. If you are in the mood for a bit of fun, well these books are certainly that.

Each novel has its own mystery of sorts, but there’s a common theme or plot that runs through all of the books. Sam’s werewolf bloodline goes back to the origination of werewolves and her witch line is similarly historic. Those two things mean that she finds herself with some cool physical traits and powers that develop during these stories, but also that other beings find her too dangerous and are always out to kill her. Clive, too, has his own historical storyline, being centuries old, so between the two of them there is never a dull moment in these books and their characters are a constant surprise, revealing hidden depths to their backgrounds and nature. I loved each moment and really found these audiobooks unputdownable. Seriously, they were very addictive so beware.

❤️❤️❤️❤️❣️

Click this link to purchase this book!* The Slaughtered Lamb

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This Chick Read: A Language of Dragons by S.F. Williamson

In an alternate London in 1923, one girl accidentally breaks the tenuous truce between dragons and humans in this sweeping debut and epic retelling of Bletchley Park steeped in language, class, and forbidden romance.

When Vivian Featherswallow inadvertently helps break the truce between the dragons and humans she is taken to Bletchley Park where she’s put on a team of codebreakers set to crack the secret dragon language that could help the humans win the war. If she succeeds, she and her family will survive, if she doesn’t they’ll all die. No pressure! As she unravels this new language she discovers corruption in her own government and has to make a decision between the lives of her family and doing what’s right for the world.

S.F. Williamson does a wonderful job of building a world that feels familiar but is completely different than a world where the reader lives. I loved the different dragon species and Finley’s ability to speak different dragon languages really adds to that global feel of different lands where these dragons lived. Her 1920’s London felt very post world war era appropriate that added to the ambience and set the mood.

The story flowed so well. All of the characters were interesting, added to the story and theme, and helped build Viv up into someone who the reader could like. She didn’t start off that way, but by the end of the book she had a redemption arc that left me wanting to know more about her, this world, and what would happen next. All in all I thought it was a solid fantasy novel, with hints of greatness. I’ll definitely be picking up the next novel when it comes out. ❤️❤️❤️❤️

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

Click this link to purchase this book!* A Language of Dragons

Copyright 2025 The Reading Chick All Rights Reserved

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

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This Chick Read: Better Than Revenge by Kasie West

Finley has only ever had one goal in life, to become a famous podcaster. The first step is to audition and land the job on her high school’s podcast team. She has come up with the perfect pitch but her plans are waylaid when her football obsessed boyfriends decides to try out last minute, uses her idea, and takes her place on the team. Finley and her friends come up with the perfect plan for revenge but needs the help of her ex’s nemesis, Theo, to pull it off. What she doesn’t count on is the connection she starts to build with Theo.

I can always count on Kasie West for great characters, a good story, and a surprising theme. In this novel it was the sweet story that Finley’s grandmother tells about her first love, captured on Finley’s personal podcast. That story provided the heart, while Finley, Theo, and Jensen provided the conflict and resolution. While the story was pretty simple, I thought it was entertaining and provided the warm fuzzies I needed.

The high school story arc was pretty simple, young love, betrayal, and redemption but despite those themes the characters were pretty unique. Finley’s group of friends were diverse and eclectic, Theo was multi-layered, and Finley’s podcasting unique. It was truly only Jensen that fell into that stereotypical obtuse jock, but as he was set up as the villain I wasn’t really bothered by his simplicity. Finley’s future was on podcasting and Theo and those two had more depth and held my interest. The author did a great job of building the tension in the story so that the resolution felt impactful and satisfying. I really liked how this story played out!

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

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

Click this link to purchase this book!* Better Than Revenge

Copyright 2025 The Reading Chick All Rights Reserved

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

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This Chick Read: Dating and Dragons by Kristy Boyce

Quinn Norton knows that making new friends at a brand new high school is almost impossible, especially when it’s the middle of the year but when she’s invited to join a D&D game she’s determined to make this friend group work. Even though they livestream their games and enforce strict rules like no phones and no dating inside the friend group. She’s slightly disappointed in that last rule because when she first meets Logan she thinks they have a great connection but as soon as she joins the group he becomes insufferable and rude. After a while she begins to wonder if his behavior is a smokescreen for hidden feelings?

I had a great time reading this author’s first novel Dungeons and Drama so when I saw this second D&D themed young adult novel I couldn’t resist, even though I don’t fall within the target demo. Dating and Dragons, while not quite as good as the first is a very cute, and very quick read. It’s a simple premise but the author does such a good job making the subject matter easy to grasp for a D&D novice, and the characters were very likable and interesting.

I think we’ve all been the new girl at some point or other so it’s easy to identify with Quinn’s situation- starting a new school and wanting to make friends. As an adult, every time you start a new job you find yourself in similar situations and despite the whole aging process, it sometimes feels like you never left high school and all of those insecurities you had as a teen. I loved how this new group Quinn wants to join reflects the society that we live in today. D&D, in my day, wouldn’t be something you’d admit to playing, but now all kinds of games, hobbies, and different groups of people are not looked at as being different at all. For me, that was one of the things that made this story so refreshing. The easy to read story and likable characters didn’t hurt either!

❤️❤️❤️❤️

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

Click this link to purchase this book!* Dating and Dragons

Copyright 2024 The Reading Chick All Rights Reserved

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

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This Chick Read: When Stars Collide (Dallas Stars #9) by Susan Elizabeth Phillips

Dallas Stars backup quarterback Thad Owens and international Opera star Olivia Shore are traveling together to help promote an international luxury watch brand. He has little tolerance for divas and she has little tolerance for lowbrow jocks. When she starts receiving threatening letters and haunting photographs about her ex-fiancé’s death Thad steps in as emotional and physical support. Their month-long journey to help promote a watch brand turns into a supportive friendship that they don’t want to give up when their traveling ends. This emotional journey of a brilliant woman whose career is everything and a talented man who will never happy with second place proves that anything can happen when two stars collide.

What a fun novel! Olivia was a very layered character. The death of her fiancé and the threatening letters about her death has created a psychological issue that may affect her being able to perform. When she meets Thad she is hiding what’s wrong with her so yeah, she definitely looks like a diva. In truth she’s very down to earth and a wonderful person. Thad is also multi-layered. He’s a serial back-up quarterback who helps troubleshoot the issues with the player he’s hoping to replace. He has the eye, skill, and intelligence to excel, yet has a depth perception issue that keeps him from being a superstar himself. Both of these characters are looking to be #1, and don’t have the time or need for someone who can’t be in a supportive role in their relationship. Their issue is how to solve that problem while still remaining together.

I loved how Thad and Olivia’s story evolved. Even though I will never be either a pro quarterback or international opera star, their story connection and problems felt real. The only exception being the mystery of who is trying to hurt Olivia. That part felt a little contrived, but man, I really enjoyed this novel!

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Click this link to purchase this book!* When Stars Collide

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