This Chick Read: Ready or Not by Cara Bastone

Eve Hatch’s life is comfortable and steady. She’s in a job that is just ok, she lives close to her best friend Willa, and she loves her little one bedroom apartment. Her life doesn’t have any surprises, until she has a one night stand and gets pregnant. Her best friend who is struggling to get pregnant has trouble with the news and her brother, Shep, steps in to help Eve. From notifying the father-to-be to navigating pregnancy, Shep steps up. Delivering surprise lunches, listening to her complaints, and well, being her best friend. Suddenly she finds him kind of hot. Is it just pregnancy hormones or does Shep feel the same?

I discovered Cara Bastone by listening to her Audible Original novels and loved her ready to love characters and the way her humor shines through in her writing. Ready or Not may not usually have found itself to my TBR but because I’ve laughed my way through a couple of her novels I wanted to give this one a try. I am so glad I did! This was a true friends to lovers slow burn romance. Pre pregnancy, Eve’s life was kind of a hot mess. Her best friend’s goofy older brother Shep became her rock and she wasn’t the only one who saw him become more and more attractive. His faithful friend act was sweet and her growing attraction to him and his obvious feelings for her were a joy to read. And yes! There was some laugh out loud scenes in this novel too.

I think we all have a bit of an Eve inside of us. We feel like our lives are not quite as great as we’d like them to be and aren’t quite certain how to get ourselves over that hump and live our dreams. This made me like Eve so much which made reading this novel so pleasurable. Throw in a hero like Shep who was described as goofy and likable, which at first made me picture a Labradoodle, and then see him slowly transform into leading man material was unexpected and very attractive. I felt all of those mixed emotions with Eve and ate up each detail as it was revealed. I couldn’t find anything to dislike about this novel and plan to spend a credit getting the Audible book so I can experience the magic of Cara Bastone’s writing again.

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

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

Click this link to purchase this book!* Ready or Not

Copyright 2024 The Reading Chick All Rights Reserved

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

This Chick Read: Fish Out of Water by Katie Ruggle

When Dahlia Weathersby receives the 911 text from her sister she rushes into the Colorado Rockies to come to her rescue. When she gets to the small town where her sister was last seen no one will believe that the innocuous phrase about their mother means that she’s in trouble. Dahlia decides if the police won’t help she will investigate on her own. That investigation leads to reclusive author and hermit Winston Dane. A hot bearded hulk of a man who is also a survival expert. He doesn’t usually like talking to people much but for some reason Dahlia makes him comfortable and he’s not about to let her go off into the forest on her own. A reluctant hero is born.

I was so glad to see another book by Katie Ruggle! It’s been a few years since her last novel and she was a quick favorite of mine with her very different romantic suspense novels. Despite the appearance of the cover, which reads contemporary romance, the quirky elements that I liked so much were readily apparent. Dahlia Weathersby with her stylish clothing and complete look earns her living by giving people makeovers and when she meets the very bearded yet handsome Winston Dane she wants to get her hands on him. Winston has been too busy hiding behind a big wall and his booby-trapped landscape to care much for what other people think of him, but when he meets Dahlia he quickly learns he wants her hands on him too. Truthfully, they were adorable together.

I also wasn’t disappointed in the dangerous turn the novel took as they searched for her sister. In fact, I would’ve been very disappointed if something hadn’t blown up or someone wasn’t hunting them down. Those are some of my favorite aspects of her novels. If I remember correctly Katie Ruggle she was a graduate of a police academy and has all sorts of survival and sportsman skills which she applies to her novels. Even though I can’t believe some of these things would actually happen, while I’m reading her novels I believe them and enjoy them 100%. If you love a little danger with your romance as well as swoony heroic leads, you will too. ❤️❤️❤️❤️

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

Click this link to purchase this book!* Fish Out of Water

Copyright 2024 The Reading Chick All Rights Reserved

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

This Chick Read: Simply the Best (Dallas Stars #10) by Susan Elizabeth Phillips

Rory Garrett is a hot mess. Her business partner in her candy business ran off with their product and left her with a run-down food truck and a $2000 fee to the city. Brett Rivers is her half brother sports agent. Driven, ruthless, and successful, he has a one night stand with Rory at her brother’s birthday party but doesn’t know she’s his sister. Trying to do damage control he tracks her down, at her brothers home where they find her brother’s murdered ex-girlfriend. Now working together to find him before the police the chocolatier and the sports agent but heads and fight an extreme attraction to each other while trying to solve a murder.

It’s been a little while since I’ve read one of Susan Elizabeth Phillips Dallas Stars novels and this put me right back in the mood to read them all. She is so good at creating moments and this novel had so many different kinds that drew me in and made me want to keep reading this quirky, fun, love story. This was truly a case of opposites attract. Brett seems to be so put together, and Rory is definitely a catastrophe and together they seem to unravel each others good intentions and bad ones too. The one thing they do have in common is that they want to find her missing brother and figure out what happened.

Murder, mayhem, chocolate, and romance. That’s what you know you’re getting from the synopsis of this book. What caught me by surprise was the humanity, depth of character and feelings that enriched the story. I had fun returning to this series and remembering how much a good book can create that escape from reality you might need. ❤️❤️❤️❤️

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

Click this link to purchase this book!* Simply the Best

Copyright 2024 The Reading Chick All Rights Reserved

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

This Chick Read: A Love Song for Ricki Wilde by Tia Williams

Ricki Wilde is the artistic, youngest daughter of an Atlantic dynasty. She’s the opposite of her famous socialite sisters, finding her own path instead of working in the family business. When she meets Ms. Della, she accepts her invitation to join her in Harlem and takeover the bottom level of her brownstone to open up her dream business, a flower shop called Wilde Things. Ricki has always been fascinated with the history of Harlem, and while she struggles to make her business work she finds happiness in her new network of friends. 2024 is a new year, and a leap year to boot. There’s something magical about a leap year and this year will become life-changing.

This book certainly was magical, from the amazing book cover, the dazzling drama of historical Harlem, to the complexity of Ricki’s character, and the smoothness of her new love Ezra. What I didn’t expect was that the story would also have hints of romantic fantasy. Told in current day as well as in flashbacks to the Harlem Renaissance of the 1920’s the author balanced Ricki’s natural effervescence with the sultry sounds of jazz and blues. Ricki alone was interesting, her moneyed background could have provided her with a solid, staid existence, but she chose to go her own way without the backing of her family. She is a strong heroine and very easy to like, but it was her stylistic choices and confidence that drew me in. She was a different character than others and her light shone so bright it was hard to look away.

Ezra, who much of the story revolved around, was always magnetic, but in a smooth, easy, way. He was a mystery that you want Ricki to solve, but not at the cost of losing too much of herself. Unfortunately, this is a story about fate which often makes those choices predetermined and the author was very careful to ride that line of fantasy and reality. I didn’t stop to question the plot just rolled with those magical elements and enjoyed the story.

When you’re reading a romance where the two main characters connect in a way that is electric and palpable it’s really special and a Love Song For Ricki Wilde was that book 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!* A Love Song For Ricki Wilde

Copyright 2024 The Reading Chick All Rights Reserved

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

This Chick Read: The Last Days of Lilah Goodluck by Kylie Scott

When Lilah Goodluck saves the life of the Good Witch Willow she is given five predictions of her future, including lottery numbers and the fact that she will die on Sunday. She doesn’t believe any of it until she gets home and finds her boyfriend cheating on her… prediction #1. When the next one quickly follows and then she meets her designated soulmate, Alistair Lennox, the illegitimate son of the British king, she figures her life is doomed and sets about checking things off her bucket list, with Alistair by her side.

I wish Kylie Scott wrote a little quicker because I swear, her novels do not disappoint. More similar in style to her last book End of Story than to her rock star or alpha male romances, a little more sweet than salty, but just as good. Lilah has led a pretty safe life as a librarian until she starts to believe the good witches predictions when she branches out to try new things. Leaving any fears behind, she sasses her supposed soulmate and starts trying new experiences and realizes that she is actually enjoying life. It doesn’t hurt that Alistair is drop dead gorgeous, has a Scottish accent, and doesn’t seem to want to leave her alone in case the prediction about her death were to come true. This totally unique premise had me hooked from the start and riding along on their reluctant relationship satisfied my need for something different. It didn’t hurt that the book was just too dang good to put down.

I can’t think of a single thing I didn’t like about this book. The pace was great and Lilah’s bucket list items kept the book moving along. Alistair was a hunky hero with a dramatic backstory which added an interesting twist to their romance, and the side characters were quirky and interesting. Honestly, the more I think about this one, the more I realized how much I really liked it! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

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

Click this link to purchase this book!* The Last Days of Lilah Goodluck

Copyright 2024 The Reading Chick All Rights Reserved

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

This Chick Read: Bride by Ali Hazelwood

Misery Lark is the daughter of the most powerful Vampyre Councilman in the southwest. When she is called upon to help broker peace between the Vampyre and their enemies the Weres she steps up to do her part. She marries the alpha wolf, Lowe Moreland. Lowe doesn’t trust easily and he really doesn’t trust his new bride.

I am obsessed with this novel! Her first novel in the paranormal genre and Ali Hazelwood hits a home run. The world building….wow! Vampyre, Humans, and Were live in the world together but in separate, heavily guarded regions. The humans are about to have a shift in leader which jeopardizes their vampyre relationship. When this new pact is made between Vampyre and Were – the first since a previous reunion ended in a massacre, Misery is asked to sacrifice her secret life among the humans to move into the unknown. Coming from a species who has very few emotional expressions, Misery finds the Were’s and their passionate responses dangerous but shows no fear and only increases her sassy, quick witted responses. She was fearless and funny.

Lowe was the perfect contrast to Misery’s coolness. She pretty much ignored his alpha stature and advanced into were life with humor and bravery- and had her own agenda. Lowe was conflicted in wanting to protect this little vampyre and see what she was up to. I loved their interactions and was fascinated with the differences in their species. This was a book where once I got lost in the world and the plot I COULD NOT PUT DOWN. It’s truly been awhile since I’ve said that.

Do you love Ali Hazelwood’s STEM romances? This one is different but there are many similarities too! Misery is smart, sassy, difficult, and brave. Just like the STEM heroines. Lowe is a bit more alpha, but he’s pretty similar to STEM romance heroes. Tall, handsome, in over his head with the female he’s interested in- definitely! It is just a different world that they live in, but everything Ali Hazelwood quirk that you love from her previous books are in this novel too. I am so eager for a second book in this series. We get a hint at the end so there better be one!!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

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

Click this link to purchase this book!* Bride

Copyright 2024 The Reading Chick All Rights Reserved

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

This Chick Read: Making the Match (River Rain #4) by Kristen Ashley

Tom and Mika met long ago when Tom was a rising tennis star and Mika was the “It” girl. Tom was already in love and despite wanting to be friends, Mika knew it would be too hard and they went their separate ways. Years later after Mika goes through a personal loss they meet again but Tom’s transgression against his now ex-wife was too big for Mika to take the chance and she shut the door on any kind of relationship. Present day, Mika receives a packet in the mail the provides details that would affect a large sports company and picks up the phone to call Tom to ask for his help. Together they decide to investigate that mystery as well as start a new friendship with each other.

I’ll admit, I had zero interest in reading this novel. That’s a rarity for me because I read practically all of Kristen Ashley’s novels (I skipped the erotica) and have read the first three in this series and enjoyed them tremendously. Why, if I enjoyed the others was I going to skip this novel? It deals with a cheating spouse and I didn’t think I could look past that transgression to root for this couple. BUT I picked it up anyway because I wanted to read the most recent novel that just came out and knew this couple would be a part of it, if only as side characters. Surprisingly, I liked it. Not as much as the other novels in the book but I did enjoy more than I thought I would.

I’m not sure what makes an “It” person other than KA telling us that this character had it all that made her so fascinating to society, but as a person, I like Mika. She was interesting and had a view on life that was different and made me want to keep reading. I LOVED her daughter and hope she gets her own book in the future. She was FAB. Tom has been in the previous novels because they all revolve around his own family. His ex-wife’s love story as well as his daughter ‘s gave us a peek into his own emotional trauma and other than the cheating he seemed like an interesting character. What the author did with these two together was give the reader a reunion love story but also gave us this side plot “mystery” to focus on. For me that side plot was integral to pulling me into their story and ultimately had me liking the novel and these two characters.

Surprise! I really liked the two main characters by the end of the book. It helps that this author excels at giving her main characters interesting family members and friendships. They round out a story and provide comic relief or a glimpse into the future of another novel. This series is full of those moments and luckily enough I have purchased the newest novel already and can get down to reading it! ❤️❤️❤️❤️

Click this link to purchase this book!* Making the Match

Copyright 2024 The Reading Chick All Rights reserved

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

This Chick Read: The Cheat Sheet by Sarah Adams

Bree Camden and her best friend NFL quarterback Nathan Donelson are strictly in the friend zone. Although she has feelings, Bree doesn’t want to jeopardize a friendship that started when they were in high school. Once a ballerina striving to become a professional, Bree suffered a terrible accident that killed those dreams. Not wanting her circumstances to hold Nathan back she pushes him away and it’s years before they speak again. Now best friends again, they are both fighting their feelings. After a night of drinking Bree spills her secrets to a TMZ reporter and her story about she and her best friend goes viral.

This book has been on my radar for a bit but for some reason I hadn’t chosen to read it before now. I haven’t read a book by Sarah Adams but I’m for sure going to read more of her books now. This story combine’s the “best friends” and “fake boyfriend” tropes to create a really cute story. I thought Bree and her struggles to keep her dance studio open was something readers could identify with and let’s face it, Nathan and his secret crush on Bree was too adorable to turn away from. The only thing that got old was that Bree took too long to give up the “best friends” moniker and allow herself to give in to her feelings. When she finally did, the reading was easy breezy and so much fun.

My favorite part of this book was Nathan asking his football friends for advice on how to woo Bree. There’s nothing like a bunch of guys giving advice. The cheat list idea was totally cute and reading those ideas coming to fruition- some good and some bad- made for some funny moments. If you’re looking for that feel-good weekend or vacation novel, this is the book I’d recommend. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Click this link to purchase this book!* The Cheat Sheet

Copyright 2024 The Reading Chick All Rights Reserved

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

This Chick Read: The Breakup Tour by Emily Wibberly and Austin Siegemund-Broka

After a recent divorce, singer-songwriter Riley Wynn approaches her label with a great concept, an album based on all of her break-ups. When her famous ex claims her newest single hit is about him she looks up her first love, Max, and asks him if she can release his name to the press. He agrees under one condition, he wants to go on tour and play the piano in that single. As they tour, they slowly work out their baggage and are given hints of hope for a future.

When Riley shows up at the retirement living center that Max is running he is faced with the regrets from his past. He chose his family over a life on the road with Riley and has always wondered what his life would’ve been like if he’d made the other choice. Her offer is the chance for him to see where that path would’ve led. I like a good second chance romance if the plot moves quickly but The Breakup Tour seemed to mire the story in both of their regrets, making it seem like it took forever before either of them could move past them. Because of that slow pace I felt like the tone of the story was moody and sad rather than playful and fun.

I loved how the author’s actually gave us the lyrics to the songs we were reading about. They all fell at the end of the book and I think I’d have liked to have read them sooner, but they were a wonderful addition and were filled with the words I’d imagined while reading about Riley singing them. I always enjoy song-filled stories and The Breakup Tour (the novel) could’ve had an album full of words filling these pages.

I enjoyed Riley and Max’s second chance story and although I’d wished their happy reunion was filled with more light hearted moments it felt real. I thought the ending was totally satisfying and I loved where the story led us. ❤️❤️❤️❤️

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

Click the link to purchase this book!* The Breakup Tour

Copyright 2024 The Reading Chick All Rights Reserved

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

This Chicks Sunday Commentary: My Top 5 Most Anticipated Book Releases- Feb’24

I feel like this February has more books being released by authors I love than normal. This was a hard list to choose my favorites, but I am up for the task! I’ve perused my favorite book lists and found a few that I can’t wait to read and a couple that I’ve already enjoyed. Here are my top 5.

I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of this novel. Guys, it was so good! I love the way Kylie Scott writes characters who a reader can enjoy. Sometimes I feel like I’m forcing myself to like a character in order to get through a story. Not this one! I loved these two main characters.

Synopsis: When Lilah Goodluck saves the life of Good Witch Willow as they’re crossing a busy L.A. street, the last thing she expects is five unwanted predictions as a reward. Who gives someone the winning lotto numbers then tells them they’ve only got a week to live? And who believes in that nonsense anyway?
 
But when the first three predictions come true within twenty-four hours, Lilah’s disbelief turns to mild panic. She’s further horrified when she nearly runs a car off the road that belongs to Alistair Lennox, who just happens to be the illegitimate son of the British king.
 
While Alistair is intrigued by her preposterous story, Lilah is adamant about resisting the heat between her and the playboy prince. If she denies he’s her soulmate, then the last prediction can’t come true, right? As the days count down, they become maybe friends…and then maybe more. But between the relentless paparazzi and some disapproving royals, finding time for love isn’t easy, especially when her days may be numbered.

Click this link to purchase this book!* The Last Days of Lilah Goodluck

Tia Williams previous novel Seven Days in June was soooo good! I knew A Love Song for Ricki Wilde was going to make my top 5 with its book release. Can’t wait!

Synopsis: Leap years are a strange, enchanted time. And for some, even a single February can be life-changing.

Ricki Wilde has many talents, but being a Wilde isn’t one of them. As the impulsive, artistic daughter of a powerful Atlanta dynasty, she’s the opposite of her famous socialite sisters. Where they’re long-stemmed roses, she’s a dandelion: an adorable bloom that’s actually a weed, born to float wherever the wind blows. In her bones, Ricki knows that somewhere, a different, more exciting life awaits her.

When regal nonagenarian, Ms. Della, invites her to rent the bottom floor of her Harlem brownstone, Ricki jumps at the chance for a fresh beginning. She leaves behind her family, wealth, and chaotic romantic decisions to realize her dream of opening a flower shop. And just beneath the surface of her new neighborhood, the music, stories and dazzling drama of the Harlem Renaissance still simmers.

One evening in February as the heady, curiously off-season scent of night-blooming jasmine fills the air, Ricki encounters a handsome, deeply mysterious stranger who knocks her world off balance in the most unexpected way.  

Set against the backdrop of modern Harlem and Renaissance glamour, A Love Song for Ricki Wilde is a swoon-worthy love story of two passionate artists drawn to the magic, romance, and opportunity of New York, and whose lives are uniquely and irreversibly linked. 

Click this link to purchase this book!* A Love Song For Ricki Wilde

It’s been a few years since the last Katie Ruggle romance novel and when I saw this one was coming out I clicked that auto-buy button immediately. Her characters are quirky, fun, and always surprise me with their depth. She also writes a great action sequence so don’t be surprised if there’s a little danger in that romantic plot.

Synopsis:

When Dahlia Weathersby’s sister disappears on what should have been a simple day hike, Dahlia immediately heads deep into the Colorado Rockies to find her. Knowing she’ll never survive the mountains alone, she convinces the local hermit—adorably grouchy survival expert Winston Dane—to be her guide. All it takes is a good helping of Dahlia’s charm…and just the teeniest bit of blackmail…before she’s got all six-foot-something of him wrapped around her finger. But even with her very own mountain man in tow, things aren’t going to be easy. There are:

  • Long hikes through gorgeous wilderness? Check.
  • Bears? Check.
  • A single shared sleeping bag? Check.
  • Enough sparks to set the Rockies ablaze? Check, check, check.

With everything the wilderness has to throw at them, it’ll take more than charm and some city girl ingenuity to make this trek anything but a disaster waiting to happen…and an adventure she’ll never forget.

Click this link to make a purchase!* Fish Out of Water

*Amazon Associate- if you purchase one of these books through the appropriate link I’ll receive a small stipend.

When Erin Hahn is good she is really good. The premise leads me to believe this one is going to be great. Plus that cover? Gorgeous!

Synopsis: The only thing keeping nineteen-year-old Case Michaels together after the death of his best friend, Walker, is a list Walker left behind of things he wants Case to accomplish in his absence. So far, though, Case hasn’t even been able to continue riding bulls in the rodeo circuit, something he’s done his entire life, balking at the thought of competing without Walker by his side. But the list? Case is determined to follow it to the letter– and he follows it all the way to Winnie Sutton.

Eighteen-year-old Winnie Sutton just wants to keep her family together. She graduated high school early to work long shifts at the Michaels family ranch so she can support her younger siblings and a father who’s more than happy to let Winnie fill the responsible parent role. If she sometimes sneaks out to ride the horses herself and forget about life for a while– well, that’s no one else’s business– until the day she crashes headfirst into Case Michaels. Case sees her riding skills and immediately ropes her into competing for the ranch and becoming his friend.

Winnie and Case couldn’t be more different, but Case can’t help but be inspired by Winnie’s badly-hidden passion for riding and competition. And there’s something about Case that makes Winnie want to try grasping onto a dream for herself, whether that’s a shot at a rodeo trophy, the annoyingly handsome rancher’s son who won’t leave her alone, or maybe both.

Click this link to purchase the book!* Even If It Breaks Your Heart

A paranormal romance by Ali Hazelwood?!!! I was so lucky to get this book ahead of time and can’t wait to listen to the audio book when it comes out. It was original, the characters (as usual) were amazing, and the world building was so surprising! I can’t wait for a second novel in this world.

Synopsis: A dangerous alliance between a Vampyre bride and an Alpha Werewolf becomes a love deep enough to sink your teeth into in this new paranormal romance from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Love, Theoretically and The Love Hypothesis.

Misery Lark, the only daughter of the most powerful Vampyre councilman of the Southwest, is an outcast—again. Her days of living in anonymity among the Humans are over: she has been called upon to uphold a historic peacekeeping alliance between the Vampyres and their mortal enemies, the Weres, and she sees little choice but to surrender herself in the exchange—again…

Weres are ruthless and unpredictable, and their Alpha, Lowe Moreland, is no exception. He rules his pack with absolute authority, but not without justice. And, unlike the Vampyre Council, not without feeling. It’s clear from the way he tracks Misery’s every movement that he doesn’t trust her. If only he knew how right he was….

Because Misery has her own reasons to agree to this marriage of convenience, reasons that have nothing to do with politics or alliances, and everything to do with the only thing she’s ever cared about. And she is willing to do whatever it takes to get back what’s hers, even if it means a life alone in Were territory…alone with the wolf.

Click this link to purchase this book!* Bride