Tag: romance

This Chicks Audio Review: Nora Goes Off Script by Annabel Monaghan

Romance channel screenwriter Nora Hamilton knows the formula for romance, at least writing the screenplay for one, but when her own marriage ends in a long-time-coming divorce, she write the best script of her life. When it’s picked up part of it is filmed in her backyard and the very sexy actor Leo Vance is cast as her dead beat husband and her life is changed forever. The day after filming wraps she finds Leo on her porch asking to stay. He’ll pay $1000 per day for a week to just hang out in the back cottage. Seven days is enough time to get to know someone, love them, and break their heart.

Well, this novel was a complete surprise! I found it on a Best of 2022 list and I bought the audiobook a while ago because it sounded like a light read. It was and it wasn’t light-hearted. It certainly had moments of joy, frivolity, and heart but it also held a lot of depth, emotion, and heart break. I truly did not know where this book was going at times and wasn’t sure how it would end. It held quite a sucker punch and I felt everything Nora felt and cried my cold dark heart out. LOL.

Nora was one of those characters that is kind of hard to get to know at first, but slowly the authors lets you into their mind and then their heart. She is not looking for love at all- after all she just got rid of the dead weight husband and is trying to raise her kids as a single parent. Under all of that constancy, Leo plants a seed of hope. At first she is confused by his presence and kind of annoyed that he foisted himself on her family, but she needs his money and is willing to put up with his presence to have that security. He inserts himself into not only her life but her kids lives too. She teaches him how to grocery shop, make dinner, pick up the kids from school, etc. He’s charming, sexy, and good looking and is interested in her? It makes for a very compelling story. Yes, there’s a bit of that famous person loving an ordinary woman fantasy element, but this author makes it feel very real, not fantasy-like at all. Maybe hearing it voiced helped make that connection to these characters feel immediate too. I need to give a shout-out to the narrator, Hillary Huber, who really made everyone come to life and helped me fall in love with them.

I love novels with young kids. Which I find pretty funny because I don’t have children myself and mostly find them annoying. However, in novels they are used as a construct to add humor, emotions, sadness, and help move a plot along. Nora’s children give life to this story. They provide a connection with Leo and Nora that really give heart and push the momentum forward. I loved that Nora’s son was in a school play and Leo just kind of took over coaching him giving her child that father son relationship that he needed. Moments like this create joy and in this case gave a roundness to the story. Sometimes it doesn’t work but in this case it worked so well. In fact, I think I loved this love story more for the family unit than I did for Nora and Leo themselves. If you’ve not read this one, please give it a shot. I’m so glad I finally did! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Click this link to purchase this audiobook!* Nora Goes Off Script

Copyright 2022 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 Audio Review: You Had Me At Hola (Primas of Power #1) by Alexis Daria

I love to go back through “Best Of” lists from previous years and ran across You Had Me at Hola on a 2020 list. At some point I picked up an audiobook of the title and it’s sat in my library for a few years. I’ve been concentrating on listening to books I already own instead of buying new ones (hello, book hoarder here!) and finally decided to give this one a try. Narrated by Seraphine Valentine, I really enjoyed listening to this story with a narrator who was bilingual. She really did it justice. Much better than I would’ve reading a copy on my own and hearing my inner voice’s use of my high school Spanish classes. Our two main characters, Jasmine and Ashton meet on the set of brand new streaming series made for the US audience. Their initial meeting was jarred by a spilled cup of coffee and the build-up of their relationship was inhibited by both characters insecurities and secrets. Listening to the narration give life to a story that used both languages very effectively really painted a picture that I found interesting and eventful. I didn’t even think of stopping this book and in fact listened to it constantly almost from start to finish.

Jasmine is just out of a nasty paparazzi fueled break-up with a very juvenile sounding rock star and is being haunted by those journalists. Ashton is gun-shy around any kind of notoriety that doesn’t have something to do with his acting and being seen off set with Jasmine isn’t something he wants to start up, regardless of their chemistry. These two characters had a lot to work through to find their happily-ever-after, but I was here for it!

If there was any negatives to this story I would say that it was Jasmine’s insecurity in herself. She has had bad luck in love and really just wants to find her person, someone who will love her as much as she wants, no needs to be loved. She came across as a little needy. Combine that with Ashton’s “secret” and the fact that he supports his entire family back in Puerto Rico to me would make it seem kind of a problematic set-up to a romance, but somehow the author made it work and I really liked the conclusion to their romance. It was the leading up to it that I found just a tad frustrating. This was the reason for my giving it only four stars, but the narration deserves a five for sure!

❤️❤️❤️❤️

Click this link to purchase this audiobook!* You Had Me At Hola

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: Book Boyfriend by Emily Wibberley and Austin Sigemund-Broka

As a lover of romantasy novels I was excited to see this synopsis about a young woman, unlucky in love, who loses herself in her favorite romantic fantasy novels Elytheum. In a fantasy world your dreams of the perfect man are delivered via fiction, keeping the hope alive that someday you’ll find your own hero, albeit unwinged. When Jennifer gets dumped by her current boyfriend, her week is free for her to go live out her fantasies at an immersive Elytheum event. She hopes to leave all her real world troubles behind, but when she gets to the event she discovers her work nemesis wearing leather. Scott is determined to solve his own relationship troubles and is determined to turn himself into a perfect book boyfriend. Jennifer wants nothing to do with Scott yet he keeps turning up and the notes he’s taking seem to be working in his favor.

There were some really fun elements to this story. Who wouldn’t want to immerse themselves in their favorite fantasy world, including their dream boyfriend? My hand is raised right along with yours! There were some cute moments where Jennifer is living out her dream, meeting people and making friends, but there were moments where it felt like the author’s leaned a little too hard into the fantasy taking me out of the story. I struggled with some chapters where the story felt a little cumbersome and the budding relationship was more antagonistic than frenemy. The story was a little problematic for me and I had trouble feeling good about Jennifer and Scott as a couple.

There were some happier moments. I loved that Jennifer, who seems to have trouble making friends and meeting people, seemed to be in her element. She put herself out there and really let herself enjoy the experience with a new group of non-judgemental friends. Those scenes were great and I loved the women helping women theme but unfortunately this was a romance novel and I couldn’t get past not liking this pairing as a couple. Maybe you’ll feel different? ❤️❤️❤️❤️

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

Click this link to purchase this book!* Book Boyfriend

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: First-Time Caller by B. K. Borison

Aiden Valentine is a little jade when it comes to love, which is why his Baltimore call-in radio show has been suffering in the ratings lately. Things look up when a child calls in on behalf of her mother asking him for love advice and when Lucie Stone gets on the phone their conversation is heartfelt and speaks to his audience, going viral. His station manager takes advantage of a good thing and invites Lucie onto his show temporarily, with the premise that they’d help her find a match. What Lucie doesn’t count on is that her perfect match may be sitting right next to her.

Based loosely on the movie Sleepless in Seattle, First-Time Caller gives you all the same warm and fuzzies as the movie and even more heart. Aiden’s jaded view on love was built into his back story and revealed in increments while Lucie’s need for that happily ever after falls in line with what all little girls dream of having in their future. It wasn’t until her daughter calls in to the radio station that she takes a good look at her life and realizes that yes, something is missing and that dream she has had won’t happen unless she takes chances and leaves her safe place, home with her daughter. I loved reading about Aiden and Lucie’s journey, their self-discoveries seemed realistic and not so outrageous giving more impact to the story.

You can’t help but love a book with great side characters- the charming daughter, the lovable ex, the manager with a mushy heart, and the work friends who root for your happy ending. This book had all of the above and those characters helped deliver a loving, warm romance where the happy ending was guaranteed. I could read this book over and over. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

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

Click this link to purchase this book!* First-Time Caller

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.

On By deborahkehoeIn A Hot Chick Who Reads

This Chick Read: Back in the Saddle (Avenging Angels #2) By Kristen Ashley

Jessie Wylde has a secret. Her brother is missing. She hasn’t told any of her friends because it’s a family matter but she’s made friends with the homeless hoping that they can give her information that will help her investigate his disappearance. Her friends may not know what she’s up to, but Eric Turner, a member of Nightingale Investigations, understands how dangerous her situation is and he’s going to step in and give her a hand. Whether she wants it or not. There is more going on in Phoenix than Jessie is aware. People have gone missing and it will be up to Jessie and Eric to uncover the truth.

I’m loving the old school feel to this Avenging Angels series. It’s an offshoot of Kristen Ashley’s original Rock Chick series and Jessie and her girl gang may not be as crazy as those Rock Chicks but they have their own brand of fire to bring to these pages but even more importantly they have what this author writes best, friendships. As we found out in the first series, Jessie and her friends make up a group called the Angels, financed by an unknown source, kind of like the tv show Charlie’s Angels. They provide them with the funds, cars, and stun guns to clean up a few problems on the street. In this novel it’s tied to homeless people going missing, and ultimately, Jessie’s lost brother.

Side by side with the girl gang are the hot men from Phoenix’s branch of Nightingale Investigations. These men are alphas and just like in the original series, they know their woman when they find them and it seems each of these ladies will be paired off with each of these men by the time this series reaches its conclusion. Jessie and Eric’s story is pretty straightforward and as with all the others is quick paced, fun, has some great girly dialog, and a hint of dangerous activity. This book was a fun ride and I’m already eagerly anticipating the next one! ❤️❤️❤️❤️

Click this link to purchase this book!* Back in the Saddle

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: The Crime Brulée Bake Off (Claire Walker #1) by Rebecca Connolly

When Claire Walker is chosen to be a contestant on the popular cooking show Britain’s Battle of the Bakers, she is thrilled. She’s excited to be on the set at Blackfirth Park using historical methods to wow the judges and hopefully launch her baking career. The Viscount of Colburn, Jonathan Ainsley, reluctantly agrees to let the show use his home for their new season. He needs the funds in order to fund his families dwindling finances. He wants nothing to do with the show and contestants and plans to never cross paths with any of them. Those plans change when one of the contestants is found dead in a way that is eerily similar to one of his ancestors two hundred and fifty years ago. Claire and Jonathan’s paths cross and they strike up a friendship and agree to help the local constable investigate the death.

This cozy mystery with a hint of romance was right up my alley. I love reading and baking and to come across a novel that combines my two loves made my heart warm. I definitely felt the Great British Bake-Off vibes and loved those scenes where Claire and the contestants were using those pre-1900’s implements to craft their bakes. I also loved that hint of heat I felt when Claire and Jonathan met for the first time. There was quite a bit of flirtation, and as the investigation progressed and those real feelings developed? Yum.

The romance was sweet, but what about the mystery? I actually really enjoyed following along with our two main characters, their interactions with the other bakers, producers, and staff, and thought the author found the right note to keep this strictly in the cozy mystery genre. I wasn’t surprised by the ending, but the author led us gently to the conclusion. I can’t wait to see what new mystery Claire (and hopefully Jonathan) can solve!

❤️❤️❤️❤️

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 Crime Brǔlée Bake Off

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.

On By deborahkehoeIn A Hot Chick Who Reads

This Chick Read: She Doesn’t Have a Clue by Jenny Elder Moke

Bestselling mystery author Kate Valentine is off to a remote island for the wedding of her editor, who also happens to be her ex-fiancé. It sounds like it will be an absolute nightmare, but with the help of some free champagne she figures she can put a smile on her face and hope that the setting gives her inspiration for her newest Loretta Starling mystery. She gets a little more than she bargains for when someone tries to poison a guest and pen the murder on her! Channeling her fictional character and with the help of her friend, fellow author Jake Hawkins, they investigate the scene and uncover bitter resentments and long-held grudges that give them more suspects than answers. She does however, get a fabulous plot for a new book.

As I was reading this novel I definitely was getting Clue vibes, “It was Professor Peacock in the library with the brass candlestick!” There were so many crazy family members and wedding party guests that it felt kind of comical, but slowly the plot tightened up and became a little easier to follow. Kate was a bit of a mess, but when she channeled her fictional character Loretta Starling she had moments of lucidity, but too much champagne, always running into someone who had nefarious intentions, and fighting her mixed feelings about her ex getting married and her attraction to Jake gave the book a rather hectic feel that both made me eager to turn the page and find what happened AND turn the page so that I’d be closer to the end of the book. I had mixed feelings while reading this and I think it may have been the rather hectic nature of the pace that gave me a few misgivings.

Despite that hectic pace and Kate’s flighty nature, there was still something to like about this story. The characters were eccentric and interesting, the gossip was fun and engaging, and Kate and Jake’s budding romance both fun and sizzling. The tension held up through the conclusion of the mystery and I found myself liking the book by the end of the last page, but whew, it was quite the journey! ❤️❤️❤️❣️

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

Click this link to purchase this book!* She Doesn’t Have a Clue

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: 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

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.

On By deborahkehoeIn A Hot Chick Who Reads

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

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.

On By deborahkehoeIn A Hot Chick Who Reads

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

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.

On By deborahkehoeIn A Hot Chick Who Reads