Tag: contemporary romance

This Chick Read: The Love Plot by Samantha Young

Star Shine Meadows believes in bringing happiness to others and her jobs as a line sitter and professional costume character actor let’s her stay true to herself. When she meets grumpy (and very attractive) veterinarian Rafe Whitman at his niece’s birthday party while wearing a princess costume she doesn’t allow his surliness to spoil her day. When she spots him while waiting in line for a client she doesn’t hesitate to embarrass him publicly while calling out a greeting. While Rafe doesn’t understand Star, he also doesn’t hesitate to hire her to be his fake girlfriend to get his mother and sister in law off his back. Star isn’t sure about this offer but accepts because it’s a lot of money, but she is curious about this handsome, surly man. The Love Plot explores their journey.. and it’s a surprising pleasure!

Star was raised by hippie parents and although her upbringing was not the best has a determination to be happy that I can’t help but admire. Always trying to bring a smile to people’s faces, and live a stress-free, no strings attached life is completely different than how Rafe Whitman lives his own. He is very structured, has expectations, and comes from a privileged family. He is tired of his mother and sister in law trying to set him up with various women and takes this leap of hiring Star so that she can give him six months of peace. What he doesn’t expect is to be drawn to this woman, not just for her spectacular looks, but also because of the way she has chosen to live her life. Reading about their journey and how they both change through this novel was rewarding and I realized how skilled this author was to draw me in by such a simple plot.

This plot may be simple, using trope’s I’ve read before, but Star was a completely new character to read and I really enjoyed seeing her open Rafe’s eyes, as well as transforming her own life to be a more complete person. It was interesting as well as heart warming. I truly enjoyed reading this book, it was a weekend well spent. ❤️❤️❤️❤️

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 Love Plot

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 Chicks Sunday Commentary: My Top 5 Book Releases- Sept’23

While perusing the book lists regarding September releases, I’m noticing a LOT of romance titles that will be going on my TBR. Too many to grab as they release but not too many to get to over the next few months… ok a year. Are any of these on your radar?

#5 BOOK RELEASE

OK, I was at the hairdresser last week and had a conversation with the girl who was washing my hair. She’s a HUGE fan of hockey romances. I love sports romances but I always want more story. So the timing was totally right for me to see this title on the September book releases, by an author I have never heard of, but it looks pretty cute! I couldn’t find it on any retail sites but it’s supposed to go on sale on 9/7. I will be looking for it!

Synopsis: She’s my lifeline, my rock…
When I was billeted with the Bukowskis, I made a mistake.
I didn’t lock Gracie Agnieska Bukowski down.
Instead, like a 16-year-old idiot, I became best friends with her brother, Kow, and now, the family considers me one of their own.
Until her, hockey was my only refuge. So, when I’m traded to the New York Stars, my first move is to change my number to 35. See, we made a vow, one that she might have forgotten, but I haven’t.
Gracie’s about to be swept off her feet.
I’m going to prove to her that not only is she not my sister…
She’s my end game.

#4 BOOK RELEASE

Despite not having read the last novel in this series ( Making the Match: I have a hard time with redemption novels when a man cheats on his woman despite this being a romance with a different woman.) I am really looking forward to this book! Hale has always been a really interesting side character and the author has not shown us too much about him so he’s a bit of a mystery. This should be a fun read!

Synopsis:

Hale Wheeler inherited billions from his father. He’s decided to take those resources and change the world for the better. He’s married to his mission, so he doesn’t have time for love.

There’s more lurking behind this decision. He hasn’t faced the tragic loss of his father, or the bitterness of his parents’ divorce. He doesn’t intend to follow in his father’s footsteps, breaking a woman’s heart in a way it will never mend. So he vows he’ll never marry.

But Hale is intrigued when he meets Elsa Cohen, the ambitious celebrity news journalist who has been reporting on his famous family. He warns her off, but she makes him a deal. She’ll pull back in exchange for an exclusive interview.

Elsa Cohen is married to her career, but she wants love, marriage, children. She also wants the impossibly handsome, fiercely loyal, tenderhearted Hale Wheeler.

They go head-to-head, both denying why there are fireworks every time they meet. But once they understand their undeniable attraction, Elsa can’t help but fall for the dynamic do-gooder.

As for Hale, he knows he needs to fight the pull of the beautiful, bold, loving Elsa Cohen, because breaking her would crush him.

Click this link to purchase this book!* Fighting the Pull

#3 BOOK RELEASE

I have really come to like this author’s writing and enjoyed her odd character matching in Two Wrongs Make a Right, the first novel in this series. Knowing you have a sure thing (good read) in your back pocket makes this an easy choice and one I’m looking forward to reading.

Synopsis:

Katerina Wilmot and Christopher Petruchio shared backyards as kids, but as adults they won’t even share the same hemisphere. That is, until Kate makes a rare visit home, and their fiery animosity rekindles into a raging inferno.

Despite their friends’ and families’ pleas for peace, Christopher is unconvinced Kate would willingly douse the flames of their enmity. But when a drunken Kate confesses she’s only been hostile because she thought he hated her, Christopher vows to make peace with Kate once and for all. Tempting as it is to be swept away by her nemesis-turned-gentleman, Kate isn’t sure she can trust his charming good-guy act.

When Christopher’s persistence and Kate’s curiosity lead to an impassioned kiss, they realize “peace” is the last thing that will ever be possible between them. As desire gives way to deeper feelings, Kate and Christopher must decide if it’s truly better to hate than to never risk their hearts—or if they already gave them away long ago.

Click this link to purchase this book!* Better Hate Than Never

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

#2 BOOK RELEASE

This book was been #1 on all of the lists I’ve seen, and I swear I’m not being contrary, but I think this series is pretty good, but not knock it out of the park good. However, I’m eager for everyone to prove me wrong! This is the third book in the Knockemount series. I know it will be cute, but will I be wowed? Lucian is the one character who absolutely sizzled on the page, so….

Synopsis:

Lucian Rollins is a lean, mean vengeance-seeking mogul. On a quest to erase his father’s mark on the family name, he spends every waking minute pulling strings and building an indestructible empire. The more money and power he amasses, the safer he is from threats.

Except when it comes to the feisty small-town librarian that keeps him up at night…

Sloane Walton is a spitfire determined to carry on her father’s quest for justice. She’ll do that just as soon as she figures out exactly what the man she hates did to—or for—her family. Bonded by an old, dark secret from the past and the dislike they now share for each other, Sloane trusts Lucian about as far as she can throw his designer-suited body.

When bickering accidentally turns to foreplay, these two find themselves not quite regretting their steamy one-night stand. Once those flames are fanned, it seems impossible to put them out again. But with Sloane ready to start a family and Lucian refusing to even consider the idea of marriage and kids, these enemies-to-lovers are stuck at an impasse.

Broken men break women. It’s what Lucian believes, what he’s witnessed, and he’s not going to take that chance with Sloane. He’d rather live a life of solitude than put her in danger. But he learns the hard way that leaving her means leaving her unprotected from other threats.

It’s the second time he’s ruthlessly cut her out of his life. There’s no way she’s going to give him a third chance. He’s just going to have to make one for himself.

Click this link to purchase this book!* Things We Left Behind

MY #1 BOOK RELEASE FOR SEPT’23

Fish out of water, grumpy hero, sports-like romance. Three of my favorite tropes all in one book! How can you not look forwarding to reading this novel? Can Elena Armas duplicate her success with her debut novel The Spanish Love Deception? You can only give this one a try and find out.

Synopsis:

Adalyn Reyes has spent years perfecting her daily routine: wake up at dawn, drive to the Miami Flames FC offices, try her hardest to leave a mark, go home, and repeat.

But her routine is disrupted when a video of her in an altercation with the team’s mascot goes viral. Rather than fire her, the team’s owner—who happens to be her father—sends Adalyn to middle-of-nowhere North Carolina, where she’s tasked with turning around the struggling local soccer team, the Green Warriors, as a way to redeem herself. Her plans crumble upon discovering that the players wear tutus to practice (impractical), keep pet goats (messy), and are terrified of Adalyn (counterproductive), and are nine-year-old kids.

To make things worse, also in town is Cameron Caldani, goalkeeping prodigy whose presence is somewhat of a mystery. Cam is the perfect candidate to help Adalyn, but after one very unfortunate first encounter involving a rooster, Cam’s leg, and Adalyn’s bumper, he’s also set on running her out of town. But banishment is not an option for Adalyn. Not again. Helping this ragtag children’s team is her road to redemption, and she is playing the long game. With or without Cam’s help.

Click this link to purchase this book!* The Long Game

Whelp! These are my top 5 book releases for September. Here’s my disclaimer- I know that my top 5 are not for everyone and that you may be looking forward to completely different titles or genre’s. That’s ok! Anyone who buys, checks out, borrows, and reads a novel is a winner in my book. 🙂

Have fun reading.

Deb

On By deborahkehoeIn A Hot Chick Who Reads

This Chick Read: Codename Charming (Palace Insiders #2) by Lucy Parker

Petunia De Vere is the personal assistant to just wed royal Johnny, whose calamities bring them unwanted attention from the press. After a particularly clumsy moment sparks rumors of infidelity Pet is asked to have a pretend romance with Matthias, head bodyguard to the royal couple. The two of them can’t be any more different. Pet is pretty, petite, bubbly, and vivacious whereas Matthias is gigantic, stoic, and surly. They both reluctantly agree and after spending time together they find out they have a sizzling chemistry. Can Pet get through that thick-skinned exterior? Can Matthias rise above his over-protective nature to let Pet in? This sequel to one of my favorite romances of 2021, Battle Royal, has all the makings of a romantic comedy of errors that can’t help but feel right.

I love, love, love Lucy Parker novels. Set in England and written by an Australian, they just feel different than romance novels written by American authors. You can’t help but use descriptive words like cheeky, brilliant, and gobsmacked when faced with this well-written romance. OK, I’m over that moment of British humor, but really I did really enjoy Codename Charming. Pet was a favorite side character of mine in the previous novel and she and Matthias’s romance was set-up with the gift of a charming little teddy bear.

Once she and Matthias were fake-dating, you really got to see inside of his surly exterior. He was just a big ol’ teddy bear, just like the little one he gave her. A little dusty and mangled, but he had a heart of gold. That was truly when this novel shone, those sweet quiet moments between the two of them. However, I did love the crazy slapstick comedy that Johnny added to the mix.

I have to mention that if you’re a fan of Battle Royal as I am, you will get your fix of Sylvie and Dominic with a couple of wonderful chapters. I love seeing a glimpse into the future of past favorites, and theirs is rainbow bright. Dominic and Pet also have some great brother-sister moments that provide that family insight that one of the subplots in this novel really needed to round out Pet’s character.

Codename Charming was aptly named. This novel was charming, fun, and romantic. Surprisingly it also had a lot of depth. Pet had insecurities that were addressed in this book as did Matthias. Their support of each other through these moments also helped cement them as a couple in my eyes. It can’t all be rainbows and butterflies can it? Life happens, and you need someone strong by your side. They both got that in the other in Codename Charming. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

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

P.S. -Because I’m a big Lucy Parker fan I have gone down the rabbit hole and found another book that she wrote under the name Elle Pierson, Artistic License. I’ve reviewed this book previously, and really liked it. The reason I bring it up is because there are a LOT of similarities between the characters in these two books. The setting and story are completely different, but I think Lucy Parker has a sweet spot for huge, unattractive (her words) bodyguards with a heart of gold. If you do too, you may want to check out Artistic License.

Click this link to purchase this novel!* Codename Charming

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: Luck of the Draw (Chance of a Lifetime #2) by Kate Clayborn

When Zoe and her friends won the lottery, each of them had a plan. Zoe, quit her job as a corporate attorney and tried to address the guilt she felt for some of the things she had to do. Writing her feelings on slips of paper and putting them in a jar, Zoe pulls one out and is determined to face her past. Aiden O’Leary is grieving the loss of his brother and facing the woman who sat across the table from his family for the company whose drug helped kill him was the last thing he wanted, but he saw an opportunity. Aiden’s plan for the money his family got in the lawsuit is to purchase a camp and he needs someone to stand by his side as his fianceé, and he asks Zoe to take that place. Over the next six weekends they see a different side of each other and gain a closeness that neither wants to go away.

Luck of the Draw was not quite as charming as the first novel in the series, Beginner’s Luck. Part of this was the subject matter and Aiden’s back story. It’s hard to read a sad novel about a man overcoming the loss of his brother and also Zoe’s guilt that goes along with dealing out the payment for that man’s loss. This was the heart of the story, but there were moments of light inside that darkness. Zoe’s needing to fill Aiden’s silence with chatter, his stoic facade cracking into a grin, their need to hold onto each other, and more. Each of these small moments made you look forward to that next moment that led to Zoe and Aiden’s guilt slowly dissipating. So, yes, there wasn’t as much charm in this novel, but there were plenty of great moments. Also, there was one heck of a declaration from Aiden to Zoe and that one scene was worth everything.

Kate Clayborn has proven that she writes a great story and once again she has also proven that she fills those stories with some great side-characters. As with the first, the girl group who won the lottery together, Kit, Greer, and Zoe stood by each other, embraced their differences, and doled out support and advice. They were wonderful and I wish I had that same kind of girl group in my own life. Aiden was a little bit more of a loner. He was so consumed with grief that despite having people close to him, he held them at a distance because it was too hard to let anyone close. However, as the book advanced and he went through a healing process, he allowed those friends close and that was a win- they were also great side characters who added charm and fun which was needed.

So, I didn’t like this book as much as the first but I still liked it a lot. It had its own heart. It was a little bit more difficult to get through because of the sadness, but once that dissipated a bit, this novel was a gem. ❤️❤️❤️❤️

Click this link to purchase this book!* Luck of the Draw

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: Perfect Together by Kristen Ashley

Wyn and Remy Gastineau had a wonderful marriage until they didn’t and Remy walked out on Wyn without an explanation. Three years later and Wyn has come to the realization that their marriage is actually over- she is ready to move on. Remy has decided he made the biggest mistake of his life and wants Wyn back.

Second chance romances are not my usual, but I do read almost all of Kristen Ashley’s books (sorry, I didn’t read her foray into erotica) and this one seemed to be a stand alone so I wanted to give it a read. I am so glad I did! It took awhile before the reason for Remy walking out was given but I loved the leading up scenes and Wyn’s confusion about what the heck was going on. I also really liked the emotional depth that Kristen Ashley gave to Remy’s reason and how both he and Wyn worked through these issues. It was dramatic, sometimes overly so, but it also felt real. Something I’m not used to in a KA novel. Her books are sometimes pretty outlandishly portrayed. There were elements of the overly dramatic but for the most part the reactions felt real which gave me a more powerful reaction to the story.

I loved Wyn and Remy’s kids, Sabre, Manon, and Yves. Sabre, the oldest is very like his father, an alpha male but has a bit of a mushy center. Manon, is sweet but has a strong core, and Yves is kind of a combination of the two. Their inclusion in the plot added so much to the story. I don’t know that the book would have been as effective without their opinions, reactions, and everything. Sometimes kids take away from the core duos story, but in this case their children were fully integrated and it made sense. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❣️

Click this link to purchase this book!* Perfect Together

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: Beginner’s Luck (Chance of a Lifetime #1) by Kate Clayborn

Three friends purchase have a drunk night out and purchase a lottery ticket joking they’d split the winnings if their numbers came up. When they did, they each had plans to make changes in their lives. This first novel follows Kit’s story. Working as an engineer at the local university, Kit is happy at her job although she would love her equipment to have an upgrade. When Ben Tucker, a recruiter, comes calling, Kit has no intention of taking him up on his offer but finds herself running into him while rehabbing her home. Ben is back in town to take care of his father for a few months while he recovers from a stroke and is helping run the restoration hardware store and he has what Kit needs.

I loved the home rehabbing angle of this romance. Ben approaches Kit as one person, the suit wielding power broker, but shows his true colors in a t-shirt and jeans with a wrench in his hand. These two sides of Ben made him so much more personable and you could see how he and Kit, who was as down to earth as they come, fitting together. Their characters were very well crafted and I liked them for each other a lot.

Another thing that made this book work so well were the relationships outside of Ben and Kit. Kit had her core girlfriends who had her back, gave her love, and understood her quirks. Ben’s relationship to his father was warm, sweet, and gruffly caring. All of these characters really added to this novel because it wasn’t just about Ben and Kit, although they were certainly the heart of the novel. They just made them feel rounded and real.

I have read some of Kate Clayborn’s newer novels and wanted to go back through her back list and see what I’d missed and The Chance of a Lifetime series jumped out at me. If they’re all like this first book I’m going to enjoy their charm! ❤️❤️❤️❤️

Click this link to purchase this book!* Beginner’s Luck

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’s Audio Review: Yours Truly by Abby Jimenez

Dr. Briana Ortiz’s life is imploding- her divorce is just about finalized, the promotion she was looking for has been delayed, and her brother’s chances for a new kidney are one in a million. When the new Dr. Jacob Maddox over-steps she goes into full on beast mode and delivers a set down that they both will never forget. Realizing his error, Jacob writes her an old fashioned letter that starts a back and forth letter exchange that creates a rock solid friendship. When Jacob secretly tests himself and is a match as a donor for her brother’s kidney Brianna will do just about anything Jacob wants in return for this life-saving gift. Jacob asks for that favor- he wants Brianna to pretend to be his girlfriend for a series of events with his family, something that she’s happy to do, but this line she crosses makes it very hard for them to ever go back to being “just friends”.

First, I need to give props to the narrators, Kyla Garcia and Zachary Webber. I’m a huge fan of Zachary Webber’s and have listened to him many time so falling back into his voice and portrayal of Jacob was no hardship and super easy. Kyla Garcia was a new narrator for me, but she too was wonderful and the two of them together had great chemistry. Abby Jimenez wrote some great dialog for these two characters and due to their narration, I was all in. This story caught me hook, line, and sinker.

These letters that Briana and Jacob exchanged were such a great way to create a voice for each character. Their jobs as emergency room doctors would be a dreadful read, but their relaying their days to each other on paper allowed the author to create unique voices for each of them. It also allowed the characters to relay things about themselves that would be hard to say in person. So, they got to know each other quickly and when they finally became friends in person it was a seamless exchange. I just so loved that. Am I the only one that was reminded of the movie You’ve Got Mail during these chapters? It was just all so fun and charming. I was smiling the whole time I read those letters.

I really liked how this novel explored social anxiety as a theme. I think it’s one of the first times where I’ve read a romance where the hero had this mental issue and it really opened my eyes to anxiety and how people deal with living with it. I loved how Briana knew how to deal with it and automatically did things to make him feel more comfortable, really without much thought. It made me love her a lot and get invested in the two of them as a couple. Briana too, was not without her own mental issues and the author did a great job explaining what was happening in a realistic way that didn’t get bogged down by technical terms. Briana and Jacob were so present for each other you couldn’t help but love them both.

I found this novel charming, funny, emotional, sad, and inspiring. I’m kind of surprised to be using those descriptors in what I thought would be a simple rom-com but this novel had a depth that leapt out and punched me in the face and made me take notice. You can’t help but admire a story that makes you feel all of those things and then reflect back on it again days later and say to yourself, yeah, that was a really good one. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Click this link to purchase this book!* Yours Truly

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’s Audio Review: Meet Me In The Margins by Melissa Ferguson

Savannah Cade, editor of small publishing house of highbrow literature, drops the manuscript of a romance novel she’s writing at the feet of her new boss, William Pennington. Relieved at not getting fired for that snafu, she hides the manuscript in the hidden room she’s found and when she returns for it, she finds the first chapter has snarky edits written in the margins. After submitting it to a competitive romance publishing house and receiving some of the same edits back, she is given 6 weeks to complete the manuscript and she needs the help of her mystery editor. Striking up an unseen agreement to help her with the edits, she and her mystery editor exchange comments and get to know each other in the margins. Savannah finds herself more and more attracted to this mystery man but she just can’t figure out who he might be.

I love when the novel I’m reading takes place in the city where I live. Recognizing landmarks, restaurants, and coffee shops in a book is a lot of fun and when that place is Nashville, TN there can be a lot of comedy had from a scene in a honky tonk and there was a great pivotal scene early on in this book that set the tone for the relationship between Savannah and Will and I knew I was going to like a lot about this book. I wasn’t wrong.

Meet Me In the Margins is narrated by Talon David, who is a new narrator to me. I liked her voice and how she imbued life into the characters, but I’m not sure if it was her delivery or if it was the way the novel was written- there were times that her voice seemed a little too formal. You know when your speaking and your read the words “It is” and if you say it you say “it’s” but it’s read “it is”? I think this author didn’t use some of the more common language and it came off as a slightly stilted read. Not the narrator’s fault at all I think, but it was something I noted when I listened to the book. Despite those brief moments, I really enjoyed the narration and the story.

What book lover doesn’t like reading about a character who is trying to write her first romance novel? I found those scenes between she and her mystery editor to have a lot of wit and I really liked the direction the author took the story. Other than that slightly stilted language that gave the narration a hiccup, I liked this novel a whole lot. William was a very proper gentleman and Savannah an interesting young lady and you could feel their interest in each other. Because this was a novel that didn’t go “between the sheets” the build-up to the big reveal felt a little long, but I appreciated the sweetness of the story and characters. I especially liked Savannah’s best friend Lilah. I thought she was a hoot!

❤️❤️❤️❤️

Click this link to purchase this book!* Meet Me In The Margins

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: Flirting With Fire by Jane Porter

Margot Hughes has spent 25 years of her life pursuing a career in theater and after a horrible break-up with her fiancé she moves back home to Cambria and finds work in real estate. When her boss and friend, Sally, has a heart attack, Margot finds herself flung back onto the stage, helping launch Sally’s local historic theater production of Barefoot in the Park. The director and lead actor’s had quit and Margot was having trouble casting when TV star Max Russo arrives in town to see his dear friend Sally and agrees to help Margot by taking the male lead if she will cast herself in the other spot. While regretting the circumstances Margot reluctantly finds herself enjoying being back on a stage, especially opposite a professional like Max, and the heat that strikes between them makes for some really interesting scenes.

Even though Flirting with Fire can be read as a standalone novel you will find some familiar characters popping up from the other Flirting novels by Jane Porter. I’m not sure if her other books have more mature hero’s and heroine’s but I have thoroughly enjoyed reading a novel about people who have similar thoughts and feelings to my own. Margot is 49 years old and while Max is slightly younger, it’s refreshing to read a novel with a solid story with some sizzle with characters who are a bit more mature. Margot had appeared in the other Flirting novels and I was eagerly anticipating her own love story because her devastating breakup had already been told and I was happy to see her get her own hea. She and Max had an instant attraction but what I really loved about the two of them together was they understood each other’s life decisions. It was easy to like and root for them.

I’ll admit I love books set on the stage. It’s not something I’ve ever aspired to do but it sure is fun to read about putting on a production and the team work it takes to make it happen. Margot and Max made a great team and their energy made for some fun reading! This novel hit all of my buttons and once I picked it up I couldn’t put it down.

❤️❤️❤️❤️❣️

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

Click this link to purchase this book!* Flirting with Fire

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’s Audio Review: Happy Place by Emily Henry

College sweetheart couple Harriet and Wyn have been broken up for five months but haven’t yet told their close group of friends. When Harriet and friends plan a vacation visit to their favorite beach cottage she is surprised when Wyn shows up. Stuck together for a week while being on a couples vacation is a hardship but all of this close contact reminds them of their chemistry and how much they miss each other. Happy Place is Emily Henry’s love story between this couple but it’s also about growing older, growing apart, and still finding those commonalities that will make you hold on to the ones you love.

I look forward to Emily Henry’s novels every year so when Happy Place was released I immediately checked the audiobook out from the library and started it up. Narrated by the uber talented Julia Whelan who has voiced Emily Henry’s other novels, I’m immediately drawn to these six characters but especially to Harriet and Wyn. This cottage at the beach is resident doctor Harriet’s happy place, especially since she and Wyn broke up, and Wyn promised her that he would stay at home for this vacation with their friends. So, when she arrives and finds him there plus that they’d have to share a room she is furious. She doesn’t want to put on a happy face with their friends and carry on this facade. However, they made their bed and if they don’t want to spoil the impromptu wedding of two of their friends, they need to fake it til they make it. Easier said than done.

This second chance romance was heart-rending. Their love story was told in flashbacks so the contrast between their falling in love and preparing for their life together and the current situation is so drastic it really helps build the tension between the two characters. Julia Whelan who voices every character did such a great job, I was totally enmeshed in this story and wanted desperately to know how it ends way just to end my torture. I will admit that I cried through about four hours of this audiobook. The build-up had such heartache, coupled with the great friendships and knowing how those change as life goes on. Oh my gosh, I loved this book for what it made me feel, but hated going through all of those feelings. I think it took two days for me to recover and my eyes to un-puff. I kid you not.

If you love slow burn romances then you need to read Happy Place. The characters are developed so well, not just our two main characters but all six of these best friends. You come to care for them all and as an older person myself, really appreciating what these 30-somethings are going through because I’ve gone through the change in friendships myself. Feeling those emotions again was agonizing and so real and true. Despite my going through a box of tissues I wouldn’t have missed reading this book. Happy Place was a gem. ❤️❤️❤️❤️

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On By deborahkehoeIn A Hot Chick Who Reads