romance – Book Dust Magic

Taboo book that was done well: Birthday Girl by Penelope Douglas #AgeGap #Romance #Taboo

Birthday Girl by Penelope Douglas book cover

Today I want to talk about a book I was always interested in, but for some reason it was never the right time to give it a shot.
I guess the right time came and guys, the book was sooooooooo good.

Birthday Girl was first published on April 15th 2018 and it has 349 pages.

About the book:

FROM GOODREADS /

He took me in when I had nowhere else to go. He doesn’t use me, hurt me, or forget about me. He listens to me, protects me, and sees me. I can feel his eyes on me over the breakfast table, and my heart pumps so hard when I hear him pull in the driveway after work.

I have to stop this. It can’t happen.

Review:

I had a feeling I would like this book, and I was right.
In a matter of fact, this was even better than I expected it to be.

With all the drama surrounding this taboo main theme of the book, with all the characters and their connection it could be compared to Turkish drama (those are pretty popular in my country).

The small town setting gave even more quality. Every character had a sole and purpose. Everyone contributed to the story.

They all were developed pretty well, especially our main character Jordan.
It makes so much sense why she fell for older guy, as she grew up in a household which was anything but healthy.
With her drunk father and mother who left her, she didn’t have a chance to learn what a healthy family looks like, and there came mummy and daddy issues.
It also make sense why she chose violent guys before or why she hang on to a thing that didn’t have a future, as she didn’t have anything else to hang on to.

We could discuss the morality of the story and how Pike wasn’t a good father, even though he and the author herself claimed otherwise.
There is no way in the world his choice wouldn’t leave a mark on his son.

Anyway, the story, with all it’s complexity was well done and wrapped up the best way possible.

Third book in the series? Check! Powerless by Elsie Silver (Chestnut Springs #3) #bookreview #romance #SmallTown

Today I bring you my review for the third book in the series that I am slowly, but surely getting through.
I love this small time romance and although every book can be read as standalone, I think the best reading experience is to read it in order.

Powerless was released on February 10th 2023 and it has 396 pages.

About the book:

FROM GOODREADS /

Two childhood friends. Two broken hearts. One impromptu road trip to get away from everything. That’s all this was supposed to be. Afterall, I’ve been living in the friend zone for years now.

But hockey heartthrob Jasper Gervais isn’t looking at me like a friend anymore. And he isn’t touching me like one either.

To his fans, he’s the handsome, talented athlete on TV. But to me he’s still the lost boy with sad eyes and a heart of gold.

The man I’ve loved in secret for years.

So when my life falls apart on my wedding day, it only makes sense that he’s the one to swoop in and save me. And when his world comes crashing down around him, I’m there to return the favor.

But the more time we spend alone, the more Jasper doesn’t feel like a friend at all. He feels like everything I’ve ever wanted and thought I could never have.

Our feelings aren’t straight forward though. They twist and turn around the pain of his past and the reality of my present.

Jasper Gervais acts like he wants me.

But after years of turning me away, he’s going to need to prove it.

Review:

This was a good book, a third one from a very good book series, but I had a difficult time to be fully invested into the story, as I couldn’t understand the logic characters from this book were lead by.
Therefore, this was my least favorite book in the series.

I didn’t have problem with main characters Sloane and Jasper, but the side characters.
Who was the least understandable to me were Sloane’s parents: father who would take her awful ex’ side or her mother who was there but it was like she wasn’t there really.
I just couldn’t believe them.

As for the other aspects of the story, I loved the small town all the books take place in. Road trip parts I didn’t enjoy.

Jasper and Sloane’s story is specific and little bit controversial because he got his eyes on her when she was practically illegal, and even though he didn’t act on it, it still felt little uncomfortable to read about it.

Later, when they were older and had beautiful connection, it was hard for me to understand why they didn’t act on their feelings sooner.
I mean, I get that this was a forbidden love (even though I still don’t understand why because Jasper is a catch, he is a sportsman and has money), but they were adults.

Anyway, this was a good fill in book and I am looking forward to read the fourth book in the series.

Another Christmas novel I read in January: Holiday Romance by Catherine Walsh #Ireland #Christmas #Romance

Yesterday I talked about a wonderful book called Snowed In, and today I decided to tell you about it’s prequel. As I happened to read this first installment in the series after it’s sequel, and my review reflects on that, I decided it would be the best to post my reviews in that order as well.
So here it is…

Holiday Romance is the first book in the Fitzpatrick Christmas series and it was published on September 29th 2022. The book was published by Bookouture and it has 354 pages.

About the book:

FROM GOODREADS /

She’s meant to be catching flights, not catching feelings…

Molly and Andrew are just trying to get home to Ireland for the holidays, when a freak snowstorm grounds their flight.

Nothing romantic has ever happened between them: they’re friends and that’s all. But once a year, for the last ten years, Molly has spent seven hours and fifteen minutes sitting next to Andrew on the last flight before Christmas from Chicago to Dublin, drinking terrible airplane wine and catching up on each other’s lives. In spite of all the ways the two friends are different, it’s the holiday tradition neither of them has ever wanted to give up.

Molly isn’t that bothered by Christmas, but—in yet another way they’re total opposites—Andrew is a full-on fanatic for the festive season and she knows how much getting back to Ireland means to him. So, instead of doing the sane thing and just celebrating the holidays together in America, she does the stupid thing. The irrational thing. She vows to get him home. And in time for his mam’s famous Christmas dinner.

The clock is ticking. But Molly always has a plan. And—as long as the highly-specific combination of taxis, planes, boats, and trains all run on time—it can’t possibly go wrong.

What she doesn’t know is that, as the snow falls over the city and over the heads of two friends who are sure they’re not meant to be together, the universe might just have a plan of its own…

Review:

I recently read Snowed In, which is the sequel to this novel that I haven’t read prior, and right after I finished it, I knew I didn’t want to say goodbye to the characters I happen’ to like so much. Snowed In was my “book to close the season with”, but it felt like torture waiting until November to read Holiday Romance, so season was longer than planned, because Holiday Romance had to be read ASAP.

The writing style was amazing. Fun and pure escapism in a tiny little book. It’s not a remedy, but I would call it a cure for bad days.
I mean, if you had a bad day, I am sure this book would make it a little better.

What is different with this book when I compare it to Snowed In, this one was written only following one POV, Molly’s, and it was written in first person (my personal preference).

We follow Molly and Andrew, their story being told in two different time frames, one following present and the other following a decade of Molly and Andrew’s travelling to Ireland for Christmases.

It was such a good experience to witness how these two people that knew each other developed their relationship into friendship, and than into romance.

The only thing I had hard time to understand was how Molly, even though she traveled all the way to Ireland to her family, had no problem to ditch them to be with Andrew. Like, wasn’t she out of her mind to be with them??
But than again, when it comes to true love, I guess the need to be with your guy is even bigger than to see your mum or sister who you didn’t see for sooooooo long.

I also want to mention that my favorite person in this book was Andrew’s causin who’s name I already forgot, but his personality will stay with me for (I hope) long.
Chapters with him were the funniest.

In the end, I want to say that Holiday Romance was the perfect book to ’tis the season with, and is example how a good holiday romance should be written.

In January I read this Christmas novel: Snowed In by Catherine Walsh #Christmas #Ireland #romance

My book review for a holiday romance Snowed In by Catherine Walsh.

After the longest pause from blogging, with new year I decided to apply new rules on my little corner of the internet, so I am posting reviews of books I read one moth after I finished the.
In other words, books I read in January will be live in Fabruary. Also, posts will be scheduled for days that are part of the weekend. That way, I won’t stress myself and now when I finally found the way to love the reading the way I did before I started reviewing books, I think I found the way to bring you my reviews in a way that won’t put the pressure on me.
Also, I decided to read only book I want to read in a moment (in other words, I don’t receive review copies anymore).

It is my pleasure to open the season with a book I loved the most this festive season (I didn’t have much luck or will this year when it comes to holidays…

Snowed In was published on November 1st 2023 and it has 384 pages.
It is the second book in the series called Fitzpatrick Christmas.

About the book:

FROM GOODREADS /

Megan is dreading going home for the holidays. She’s the village pariah, the she-devil who left local golden boy Isaac at the altar four years ago and ran away to the big city. She could really do without the drama. Particularly as he’s engaged again, and she’s just been dumped for the fourth time this year.

Christian’s fed up of being on his own every Christmas. He doesn’t mind being alone , but he hates his family’s sad eyes and soft tones as they sit around coupled up. Because he’s actually, totally, fine.

So when Megan literally bumps into Christian in a Dublin pub, they come up with a pact to see them through the holiday season. They’re going to be the very best fake dates for each other, ever .

Rules are drawn up, a contract is signed on a wine-stained napkin. They will sit through each other’s family gatherings and be outrageously in love until freed from their annual obligations. After all, it’s only for a few weeks.

But with everyone home for the holidays, two big families to deal with alongside old friends, old flames and old feelings, things are bound to get messy. And when a snowed-in cabin and a little Christmas magic are added to the mix, anything could happen…

A swoonworthy and utterly gorgeous romantic comedy that will make you laugh out loud and fall completely in love. Fans of Emily Henry, Sophie Kinsella and Abby Jimenez won’t be able to put this down!

Review:

This holiday season some kind of weird reading slump caught me and I only read 3 festive romances of whom I didn’t particularly like any. So basically, maybe the fact that the books I grabbed were more boring than romantic or funny, my mind decided to go for horrors and thrillers (and I have to stress out I read only a few of them too, as I was in some weird reading slump).

However, the last book I decided to read, the book I decided to close this weak festive season with made up for all those dull stories I read before, and I had a blast reading Megan and Christian’s story.

First of all, I immediately clicked with Catherine Walsh’s writing. It was simple, attention grabbing ,easy to fly through and what I appreciate the most, it was fun.

Reading Walsh’s words felt like having a coffee time with my friend, catching up with all the news in her life. It was a loooooong time since I enjoyed the book in such a comfortable way, so it is not a surprise that I finished the novel in only 2 days (in case you didn’t know, I am a slow reader and if I finish a book in 5 days I tap myself on the back congratulating for such a fast job done).

This is the second book in the series and while it can be read as standalone, it also is continuation on the first book, Holiday romance, as we do get updates on Molly and Andrew, who are main characters of that story. Because updates are not just tell and glimpse, but actual part of the plot, I suggest you all to read the books in Fitzpatrick Christmas in order. I didn’t do it, but I will definitely read Holiday Romance soon.

I got attached to these characters, so having another book with them in it makes me happy.

I enjoyed Snowed in, and loved, loved the characters, but the only thing that took me time to accept was how Megan was portrait as some kind of victim when in reality she was the one who ran away from her wedding, embarrassing her then fiance in front of everyone. With time I accepted her reasons, but still I wasn’t a fan how her ex was portrait as a bad guy.

There are some steamy scenes, but only few, which was just the right dose if anyone asks me.

Overall, this was the best holiday romance I read this year. It was like a hot chocolate on a snowy day and I will definitely read the other book in this series.

The best romance I read in years: Part of Your World by Abby Jimenez #SmallTown #Romance @readforeverpub

Part of Your World by Abby Jimenez book cover US edition

Today I am happy to review a book that stole my attention from the very first page, made me head over hills with the small town called Wakan and will now forever have special place in my tiny heart.
I read it together with my girls (in our book club we read 1-2 books together and discuss everything together few chapters per day) and this is the book everyone liked. It is actually rare where all the members like the book we pick, there are usually DNFs and different opinions, so it is safe to say that this was one of the winners of the year so far.

Part of Your World was published on April 19th 2022 by Forever. It has 400 pages and it is the first book in the series.

About the book:

FROM GOODREADS /

After a wild bet, gourmet grilled-cheese sandwich, and cuddle with a baby goat, Alexis Montgomery has had her world turned upside down. The cause: Daniel Grant, a ridiculously hot carpenter who’s ten years younger than her and as casual as they come—the complete opposite of sophisticated city-girl Alexis. And yet their chemistry is undeniable.

While her ultra-wealthy parents want her to carry on the family legacy of world-renowned surgeons, Alexis doesn’t need glory or fame. She’s fine with being a “mere” ER doctor. And every minute she spends with Daniel and the tight-knit town where he lives, she’s discovering just what’s really important. Yet letting their relationship become anything more than a short-term fling would mean turning her back on her family and giving up the opportunity to help thousands of people.

Bringing Daniel into her world is impossible, and yet she can’t just give up the joy she’s found with him either. With so many differences between them, how can Alexis possibly choose between her world and his?

Review:

I found my new favourite book in this novel. ❤
It was everything I wanted, more than I expected and the one I will come back to again and again.

Small town romances are my favourite type of books right now.
And let me tell you, Part of Your World has one of the most amazing small towns I have read about.
I warmed to Wakan and it’s people, and I would love to visit that place once again in Abby Jimenez future work.

I have noticed this book was so many people’s favourite, but I was still swept away with how good it was.
It is definitely the best book I have read this year and I am so glad we read it together in our book club, because it was a great choice before the break we took.

I loved both of the characters, Ali and Daniel, although it was hard for me to understand why Ali acted the way she was. At times it felt like she was ashamed of Daniel, and I felt so sorry for him in those moments.

Daniel is the best book boyfriend ever. He sounds almost perfect and therefore unbelievable. I was definitely head over hills for him. Even more than Ali.

This is oposite attracts story, but what is the most stressed out here is how people from other classes have hard time to be together, how other people from their lives play big part in them finding their way to each other (or taking other paths) but also how different lifestyles are hard to intertwine.
That was the biggest part of the story, and it made me think of things I wouldn’t otherwise.

Other trope is age gap (Ali being 9 years older than Daniel).

The book doesn’t have smut scenes.

My absolutely favorite thing about this novel is the writing style.
It was so well written with disney references here and there, and dash of magic that in my case would go unnoticed if there wasn’t an author’s note at the end of the book.
That note made me appreciate Part of Your World even more and respect Abby Jimenez as an author.

I will definitely read more of her work in the future.
Her newest novel Yours Truly unfortunately doesn’t take place in Wakan. Still, I will give it a try.
However, my fingers are crossed in hope we’d get a chance to visit small town of Wakan some day again in the future.

The newest one from my favourite author: Happy Place by Emily Henry #SummerReads #HappyPlace #EmilyHenry

GIFTED / After taking a looooong pause from blogging (don’t even ask me why I wasn’t around, I guess life sucked the will to live in me. Actiually, the truth is, I never have time for anything after I became the mother and I miss my old life but I guess that is the different topic that won’t be discussed here.) I decided to come back with a review for the perfect book to read during summer. It is the newest novel from Emily Henry: Happy Place.

The book was released on April 25th 2023 and it has 400 pages.
I want to say thank you to Penguin Random House Global for sending me an e-galley of this novel (in an exchange for an honest review).

About the book:

FROM GOODREADS /

Harriet and Wyn have been the perfect couple since they met in college—they go together like salt and pepper, honey and tea, lobster and rolls. Except, now—for reasons they’re still not discussing—they don’t.

They broke up six months ago. And still haven’t told their best friends.

Which is how they find themselves sharing the largest bedroom at the Maine cottage that has been their friend group’s yearly getaway for the last decade. Their annual respite from the world, where for one vibrant, blue week they leave behind their daily lives; have copious amounts of cheese, wine, and seafood; and soak up the salty coastal air with the people who understand them most.

Only this year, Harriet and Wyn are lying through their teeth while trying not to notice how desperately they still want each other. Because the cottage is for sale and this is the last week they’ll all have together in this place. They can’t stand to break their friends’ hearts, and so they’ll play their parts. Harriet will be the driven surgical resident who never starts a fight, and Wyn will be the laid-back charmer who never lets the cracks show. It’s a flawless plan (if you look at it from a great distance and through a pair of sunscreen-smeared sunglasses). After years of being in love, how hard can it be to fake it for one week… in front of those who know you best?

A couple who broke up months ago make a pact to pretend to still be together for their annual weeklong vacation with their best friends in this glittering and wise new novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author Emily Henry.

Review:

As I previously loved every single book Emily Henry wrote, it is no surprise I enjoyed myself reading Happy Place as well.

It was somewhat unusual romance book, as the main characters broke up but faked relationship between their friends.
At first I didn’t understand why would they sign up for that kind of trouble, but the more I was reading it was more obvious Harriet and Wyn still had feelings for each other, but didn’t know how to or should they act upon those feelings.

These two were put in an unfortunate position and finding a way to each other wasn’t easy. It took lots of work and sacrifice to meet at the half way.

I like how this book explores friedship relationships and shows how people sometimes grew apart.
As you get older and become a different person with years, it is normal to lose connections with people that meant you the most once.

This is a story about group of friends who get together for their one last vacation, in their happy place they spent summers and summers together.
I have to admit I lacked as a reader on that part. I didn’t pay much attention to side characters and often forgot who was who.
Still, I think I caught with all of them by the other half of the book.

Overall, this was such a good book and I can’t recommend it enough, but still I have to emphasize that I loved Henry’s Book Lovers 10 times better.

Book Review: A Perfect Paris Christmas by Mandy Baggot #BookReview #Paris #Christmas

GIFTED / Although Christmas books are my absolutely favourite kind to read, this year I finished only four of them. Unfortunately, not one 5 stars read this year. A Perfect Paris Christmas was good and entertaining. Unfortunately I did a bad job when it comes to reading and reviewing it as I got it via Netgalley back in 2020, but here it is finally: my review for this story.

A Perfect Paris Christmas has 378 pages and it was published on September 3rd 2020. I want to thank publishing house Aria for giving me a copy via Netgalley in an exchange for an honest review.

About the book:

FROM GOODREADS /

United in grief. Pushed apart by tragedy.

Keeley Andrews knows more than anyone that you only live once. So when she receives an invitation to spend two weeks in Paris, all expenses paid, she jumps at the chance.

Ethan Bouchard has had the worst eighteen months of his life. He’s ready to give up on everything, including his hotel chain. So when he meets Keeley, it simply isn’t the right time.

As Keeley and Ethan continue to bump into each other on the romantic Parisian streets, they can’t help but wonder whether this is fate telling them to let go of the past and leap into the future…

Review:

I feel kind of bad that I read this book two years too late, as I got it for review back in 2020, but as they say, it’s better late than never, right?

The cover for this festive novel is just gorgeous and the sole reason that grabbed my attention in the first place.
The premise sounded interesting but if I am being honest, I was little sceptical whether I would click with the story, as I find it unbelievable (and also I am firm believer that donors/receivers stay anonymous for a reason). However, as I have read and liked Baggot’s books in the past I knew I wanted to give it a try.

Overall, I can say I liked the story in general.
Main characters were likeable and entertaining.
The writing style was the best part, but in my opinion the novel would be even better if it was shorter.

Some things I wasn’t a big fan of. For some reason I didn’t like Jeanne. Everything about that whole side plot was all red flags for me. And I liked it even less how her story wasn’t explained at all and it was just done poorly and unbelievable.
Like, yeah, you can just take a person from the streets to your house, without checking out anything about that child. And imagine guy doing it, living with a 12 years old minor without noticing police or anyone? Can anyone else see how it looks like??

My favourite character was Louis, but unfortunately he was portrayed as a bad guy.

Also, I think this hotel chain is doomed. I mean, who goes to Paris to cuddle with sheep? There are country hotels with full service for a reason, and you go to Paris for glamour.

Anyway, this was cute story but soooo unbelievable.

I couldn’t ask for a better historical romance to end the year with: A Wicked Game by Kate Bateman (Book Review) @STMRomance #BookLovers #HistoricalRomance

A Wicked Game by Kate Bateman book cover US edition

GIFTED / Today I am happy to bring you my review for a book that I have finished recently: A Wicked Game by Kate Bateman. It is a third book in The Ruthless Rivals series but it can be read as standalone. Still, as I enjoyed the book I highly suggest to read all the previous books in the series (which I still have to do myself).

This novel was published on December 27th by St. Martin’s Press and it has 304 pages. I want to say thanks to Sara La Cotti for giving me an early access to read and review this novel.

About the book:

FROM GOODREADS /

If there’s one thing impossible for a Davies to resist, it’s a challenge from a Montgomery. . .

A teasing bet.

Shipwrecked and imprisoned thanks to an incorrect map, Captain Morgan Davies has returned to London to exact sweet revenge on the cartographer responsible for his suffering. He’s also vowed to claim the winner’s prize―three kisses―in the bet he made with his long-time nemesis, the prickly, smart-mouthed Harriet Montgomery. His incarceration has clarified his feelings for her, but convincing the infuriating woman he wants to marry her is going to be his greatest challenge yet. When Harriet’s revealed to be the very mapmaker he seeks, Morgan decides to combine revenge and seduction into one delightful package. . .

A dangerous enemy.

Harriet’s always wanted witty scoundrel Morgan, and now he’s back; as handsome and as taunting as ever. She has enough on her plate dealing with her father’s failing eyesight and a rival mapmaker copying her work to play wicked games with a dastardly Davies―however tempting he might be. But when a threat from Morgan’s past puts them both in danger, Harry discovers that she and Morgan might not be enemies at all . . .

Review:

I feel blessed to had a chance to read A Wicked Game prior it’s release. I loved it so much!

As you might know, this year I rediscovered my love for historical romance and I am going through all the popular authors I haven’t had a chance to read before, Kate Bateman being one of them.

I guess after finishing A Wicked Game I can see where all the hype comes from.
She is just a mastermind when it comes to creating/showing chemistry between main characters.

I could feel it on every single page that included Harry and Morgan together.
This is (fr)enemies to lovers story, but it was obvious from the very first page that the characters have feelings for each other.
One would said, the sexual tension could be cut with a knife.

Also, it helps that the story itself was pretty entertaining and fun.
I like how the author gave us all the informations about cartography and paper places (that I knew something about already from Paper Towns by John Green).
I was never brilliant when it comes to history, but Bateman made sure to pull me right to the historical period our characters live in by throwing some real happenings that took place in that time.
I also appreciate the action that happened closer to the end.

The story is written in third person and it is so easy to read.

This is third book in the series but it can be read as standalone. However, characters from the first two novels make appearance as side characters in this one.

I will definitely read more books by Kate Bateman in the future.

Book Review: The Shaadi Set-Up by Lille Vale @PRHGlobal #partner #romance

The Shaadi Set-Up by Lille Vale book cover

GIFTED / Today I bring you a review for a book I read some time ago, and had so much fun. I hope my review, although it is brief, will make you notice it and give it a chance.

The Shaadi Set-Up was published on Semptember 7th 2021 by G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers. It has 368 pages.
I want to thank the team from Penguin Random House Global for sending me an e-galley of this novel (in an exchange for an honest review).

About the book:

FROM GOODREADS /

High school sweethearts Rita Chitniss and Milan Rao were the golden couple, until the day he broke her heart. Now, six years later, Rita has turned her passion for furniture restoration into a career and has an almost-perfect boyfriend, Neil. The last thing she needs is for Milan to re-enter her life, but that’s exactly what happens when her mother, an unfailing believer in second chances, sets them up. Milan is just as charming, cocky, and confident as he was back in school. Only this time, he actually needs her business expertise, not her heart, to flip a hard-to-sell house for his realty agency.

While Rita begrudgingly agrees to help, she’s not taking any risks. To prove she’s definitely over him, she signs herself and Neil up on MyShaadi.com, a Desi matchmaking site famous for its success stories and trustworthy enough to convince everyone that she and Neil are the new and improved couple. Instead, she’s shocked when MyShaadi’s perfect match for her isn’t Neil…it’s Milan. Ignoring the website and her mother is one thing, but ignoring Milan proves much more difficult, especially when she promises to help him renovate the beach house of her dreams. And as the two of them dive deeper into work—and their pasts—Rita begins to wonder if maybe her match wasn’t so wrong after all….

Review:

I finished this book back in September and I am writing my review only now so I apologise it’s not as detailed as I promised it would be.

I got The Shaadi Set-Up via Netgalley when it was first published and I was so excited to read it, but as you can probably assume, life got in a way and it had to go on hold until now when I finally have more time to read and review (and go through all of my review copies).

I will be honest, as time passed I wasn’t as excited to dive into the story, but once I started reading I was swept away by how fun and good it was.
I had such an enjoyable time reading this novel. This was a romance comedy in all it’s glory and I wouldn’t be surprised to see Netflix movie based on it. It would be a good movie, let me tell you that!

The Shaadi Set-Up features love triangle and maybe it was obvious how it would resolve, but still all the scenes with “the wrong guy” were pleasure to read and some of my favourite scenes were because of him.

This romance has miscommunication trope, so I get why some readers would be bothered by it. I personally didn’t mind it.

I also want to state that this is own voices story and represents Indian culture.

Book Review: Not Like the Movies by Kerry Winfrey @PRHGlobal #partner #romance

Not like the Movies by Kerry Winfrey book cover US edition

GIFTED / Today I bring you my review for a book that I have read some time ago. It is part of the series and my suggestion is to read Waiting for Tom Hanks first. I enjoyed reading Not LIke the Movies so I hope my review will give it some spotlight so more people would give it a chance.

Not Like the Movies was published on July 7th 2020 by Berkley and it has 320 pages. I want to say thank you to Penguin Random House Global for sending me an e-galley of this novel (in an exchange for an honest review).

About the book:

FROM GOODREADS /

Chloe Sanderson is an optimist, and not because her life is easy. As the sole caregiver for her father, who has early onset Alzheimer’s, she’s pretty much responsible for everything. She has no time—or interest—in getting swept up in some dazzling romance. Not like her best friend Annie, who literally wrote a rom-com that’s about to premiere in theaters across America…and happens to be inspired by Chloe and Nick Velez, Chloe’s cute but no-nonsense boss.

As the buzz for the movie grows, Chloe reads one too many listicles about why Nick is the perfect man, and now she can’t see him as anything but Reason #2: The Scruffy-Bearded Hunk Who’s Always There When You Need Him. But unlike the romance Annie has written for them, Chloe isn’t so sure her own story will end in a Happily Ever After.

Review:

I got into Not Like the Movie without knowing it was a part of the series. How foolish of me for not doing my research.
When it comes to romance genre, with every book following different main characters, they can usually all be read as standalones.
This one can also be considered as easy to understand on it’s own, to some point, but since main characters from the first book appear more then few times, and it is constantly mentioned what happened in that story, bringing and creating problems for characters in this, second novel, I would suggest to read the first book first.
I felt like I was missing out and it kind of ruined my reading experience.

The story follows a woman who has hots for her boss. And while I usually like that trope (or the idea of it because I haven’t read many books following it) in this novel Chloe acted too unprofessional to me with her constant comments but then when Nick would try something she would be all like “Oh no, we can’t. Bla bla bla, but you still have cute but and strong muscles and also, you smell like an old hot grampa”. Yes, I know.
I guess this is also age gap romance because Chloe had some comments about Nick being old, but it was never stated how old was he.

I didn’t like all the drama and characters finding excuses not to be with each other just so we can rute for them to finally get together.

Chloe’s relationahip with her bestie was also strange and it didn’t sound too healthy.

I could relate to Chloe who took care of her dementing father and having to deal with her absent brother. Their relationship with their mother was so complicated and I totally understand how it would scar them both.

The writing style was solid and the book reads quikly.

I would recommend Not Like the Movie but I would also advice to start with Waiting on Tom Hanks first.