Romance

Love On The Brain | Book Review

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About The Book
Bee Königswasser, a neuroengineer, gets her dream job at NASA, only to find herself partnered with her nemesis. Despite his heroism and appeal, Levi had previously established them as enemies. However, shared work difficulties strengthen Bee and Levi’s bond. Forcing Bee to contemplate whether she and Levi could become something more than enemies.
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/4czbnHn

My Rating

I’ve heard this book compared a lot to ‘The Love Hypothesis,’ Ali Hazelwood’s first STEM romance, with people saying it has a very similar plot. However, I don’t see that at all, apart from the sunshiny and somewhat clueless main female character, and of course, the STEM setting. There aren’t many similarities between the books, and the tropes in each are completely different.

Honestly, as someone who loved ‘The Love Hypothesis,’ I enjoyed this one slightly more and think it’s an underrated novel where Ali Hazelwood is concerned. The main female character, Bee, is a Marie Curie-obsessed scientist who is offered her dream job working on a project for NASA. Unfortunately, she has to work with her grad school nemesis, Levi.

You might think this is an enemies-to-lovers story with a touch of workplace romance. However, that’s not the case; there is so much more to the plot. I loved Bee and Levi’s interactions throughout the book. She was so sure that he hated her, but that simply wasn’t true. And yes, one could say she was oblivious, but I found it hilarious.

“Science is reliable in its variability. Science does whatever the fuck it wants. God, I love science.”

There was this whole ‘You’ve Got Mail’-esque plot that I didn’t expect but loved. I’m a big fan of secret pen pals or, in this case, online friends. It adds such a fun layer to the story, and I couldn’t wait for things to be revealed. I will say that this book wasn’t a quick read, but the plot was more than just romance; a lot happened within 350 pages.

The characters Ali writes are amazing, and all you want is for them to get their HEA. For me, Bee and Levi complemented each other wonderfully, and they might even be one of my new favorite couples. However, I have a feeling I’ll be saying that about all the couples in Ali Hazelwood’s books.

Overall, I think this book shouldn’t be disregarded. The plot is interesting, the side characters are great, the banter is wonderful but not overwhelming, and the romance is fantastic. Also, the spice in this book is great! It’s open-door, and I would rate it a 3 out of 5 on the steamy scale, but that might be a bit too high.

Please let me know in the comments if you’ve read this book. Also, feel free to follow me on Instagram for more bookish content. And if you enjoy my blog, please show some love by giving it a quick follow.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Beach Read | Book Review

- Bunny 3 Comments

About The Book
Augustus Everett, a literary fiction author, and January Andrews, a romance writer, are polar opposites. They end up as neighbors in beach houses, both struggling with writer’s block. To shake things up, they make a deal: Augustus will write a happy story, and January will attempt a serious novel. As they explore each other’s worlds, they vow not to fall in love—though that might be inevitable.
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/3YOSmOa

My Rating

I’d heard so much about ‘Beach Read’ by Emily Henry before picking it up, and it’s easy to see why it’s one of her most popular books. I initially thought it was an enemies-to-lovers story, but it’s more of an opposites-attract situation, which was a pleasant surprise.

What really caught me off guard was the depth of the main character, January. I went into the book expecting a light and fluffy rom-com, but her struggles added an unexpected heaviness to the story. These layers made her character much more relatable and interesting to follow.

The interactions between January and Augustus, the male lead, were a highlight for me. Their chemistry felt genuine, not just driven by witty banter, which made their connection feel authentic. Their agreement to write books in each other’s genres was a fun twist, and I loved their research outings together. You could feel their attraction build gradually, rather than being an instant connection, which made it even more satisfying.

I appreciated how the characters learned to open up to each other while still dealing with their personal issues independently. This gave their relationship a healthy dynamic, avoiding the trap of a rebound or grief-driven romance. I also liked how they pushed each other out of their comfort zones, not just in their writing but in their personal growth.

“People were complicated. They weren’t math problems; they were collections of feelings and decisions and dumb luck.”

The only part that left me conflicted was how January’s issues with her dad were resolved. While I didn’t dislike the direction it took, I wasn’t a fan of it either. That said, I understand it was a complicated and messy situation, so I get that it isn’t something that can be easily resolved. However, it didn’t take away from my overall enjoyment of the story.

The writing was fantastic, and I’m realizing that I might just be an Emily Henry fan. While her style isn’t necessarily groundbreaking, it’s impressive to learn that she didn’t even consider herself a romance writer when she wrote this book. Knowing she primarily wrote young adult books before this showcases just how talented she is.

Overall, I can see why this book gets so much hype, and for once, I actually agree with it. I know—shocker! If you’re looking for a fun romance that still touches on deeper topics, this is a great pick. It’s the perfect beach read—pun intended—that you can easily devour in a day. Also, if I had to rate this book on a spice scale, I would say it’s probably a 2 out of 5, so the sexy scenes aren’t that intense.

In the comments, let me know if you’ve read this book or if it’s on your TBR. Don’t forget to share this post with other book lovers. And if you enjoy bookish content, click the follow button so you never miss a post!

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

By The Cover | August 2024

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Hi Friends,
It’s time for another “Judging Books by Their Cover” post! There are so many great books coming out this month, and a lot of them are ones I want to read. Just a heads-up: these are just my opinions, and I’m not trying to bash the authors or cover designers. We all have different tastes when it comes to books and their covers.

The Pairing by Casey McQuiston (August 6th)
I really like the color scheme of this cover and the overall concept. But, it feels a bit unfinished and odd that the faces don’t have any details like lips, noses, or eyes. The two characters’ faces sort of blend together. On the bright side, the detailing on the edges of the book, from what I’ve seen, is stunning.

Lady Macbeth by Ava Reid (August 6th)
I’m torn on this cover because I both like it and don’t like it. It’s pretty simple, which works, but I think it could use a bit more expression on the girl’s face—maybe some haunted eyes would’ve added more impact. There’s another cover for this book that I prefer a lot more.

A Sorceress Comes to Call by T. Kingfisher (August 6th)
I like this cover overall, but there are a few things that bug me. The black circle behind the text and the purple font don’t really match the rest of the colors. I like the trees and stars, but I wish the cover gave off more of a “sorceress” vibe since it’s a fantasy book.

The Phoenix Keeper by S.A. MacLean (August 13th)
I absolutely love this cover and would buy this book just based on it. The color scheme is great, and the way the phoenixes look like they’re woven into the trees is really cool. The feathers floating around are a nice touch too. This one really stands out to me.

Oath of Fire by K. Arsenault Rivera (August 13th)
I’m a bit mixed on this cover. I love the fiery mask and the textured background, and the ornate framing on the cover is beautiful. But, the title and author name don’t really stand out. If I saw this book in a store, I’d think the cover was pretty, but I might not remember the name of the book.

Wisteria by Adalyn Grace (August 20th)
I’m a huge fan of this series, so I might be biased, but I love this cover. It’s stunning, and I really like how all the covers in this series match so well. Everything from the title style to the girl and the Wisteria flowers around her looks amazing.

So, those are my thoughts on some of the August book covers. Let me know in the comments what you think about these covers and if any of these books are on your TBR. Don’t forget to follow the blog so you never miss a bookish post!

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

2024 Summer Olympics | Book Recommendations

- Bunny 1 Comment

Hi Friends,
It is Olympic season! So, I thought I would give you three book recommendations to help you get into the summer Olympics spirit. Although all these books have a sports-focused story, one of them isn’t a summer Olympics sport and is actually considered more of an art. Still, each book has an element that fits the 2024 Olympics.

Fence by C. S. Pacat, illustrated by Johanna the Mad
This is a graphic novel series about an elite high school fencing team. The plot follows Nicholas Cox, the illegitimate son of a U.S. Olympic fencing champion. When Nicholas receives a scholarship to the elite boys’ school, Kings Row, he knows that being on their fencing team will help him achieve his goal of becoming a champion fencer. Not only are the volumes in the series fast reads, but they also clearly have an Olympic and competition theme.

Burnout by Rebecca Jenshak
This sports romance follows Knox, a tattooed motocross rider, and Avery, a gymnast. When Knox’s bad reputation lands him in a tight spot, the only person who can help him is Avery, an Olympic medalist. The book not only captures those summer Olympic vibes but also features a hot bad boy, spice, witty banter, and is the first installment in the Holland Brothers series. Honestly, what more could a romance reader want?

Kisses And Croissants by Anne-Sophie Jouhanneau
This book takes place in Paris, which just so happens to be where the summer 2024 Olympics will be held. It follows an American ballerina who is spending the summer at a prestigious ballet school, knowing it will get her one step closer to becoming a professional ballerina. But instead of dancing her way through Paris, she pliés right into a cute French boy. Their meeting might just be fate, but it might also be a beautiful distraction.
Related Post: Kisses And Croissants // Book Review

I hope you enjoyed this post and found some books that will help put you in the summer Olympics mood. Even if you aren’t a watcher of the Olympics, I hope you still got some good recommendations from this post. In the comments, let me know what your favorite sport in the summer Olympics is. I mainly like to watch the gymnastics competitions. Before you go, show your support for my blog by giving it a quick follow.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Flawless | Book Review

- Bunny Leave a comment

About The Book
The rules were simple: keep my hands off my agent’s daughter and stay out of trouble. Now, I’m stuck with her as my “full-time supervision” to clean up my image after a scandal. But Summer isn’t just a babysitter—she sees the real me and doesn’t run away. She insists on boundaries to protect her heart and my reputation, but I’m determined to steal her heart anyway.
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/3SirK3I

My Rating

This is the first book in the Chestnut Springs series, an adult romance series of interconnected standalone novels. The series is also a favorite among KU readers. I believe all the books are set in the same small town and are cowboy romances. In this one, we get Summer and Rhett’s love story. With all the hype surrounding these books, I was expecting more.

I’m not exactly sure how to classify the tropes for this book, so we’ll go with workplace romance and good girl/bad boy. Rhett, a successful bull rider, is having a PR crisis, and Summer, his agent’s daughter, is essentially tasked with babysitting him for a few weeks.

Summer is a daddy’s girl who doesn’t love her job but feels like she owes it to her father to work for him. She has a complicated relationship with her stepmother and half-sister, while Rhett is close to his brothers, nephew and dad. It was awesome to watch him interact with his family because of how close they all were.

“You wear the hat, you ride the cowboy.”

Unfortunately, unlike many people, I wasn’t a fan of the storyline in this book or the couple. Summer was decent enough, but I felt like her romance with Rhett was very insta-lovey. Rhett wasn’t my favorite male protagonist because he could be self-centered at times. He would do everything he wanted under the pretense that he was doing it in the best interest of the people he loved.

I’ve learned that I’m not into the “touch her and you die” type of masculinity, which was definitely the kind of relationship Summer and Rhett had. Also, the smutty scenes in this book were very cringey. I don’t know what the author was thinking with some of her phrasing, and as someone who enjoys spice, these scenes were, to put it nicely, poorly written. However, I will say that the book is probably a 3.5 out of 5 on the spice scale, and the sexual scenes are very detailed.

Overall, this book wasn’t something I truly enjoyed. But Elsie Silver does have a great writing style, spicy scenes aside. I found the book to be extremely bingeable, and with this book introducing you to the main characters from the other books, I am very excited to read their stories. I am particularly interested in learning more about Winter, who is Summer’s half-sister. Although I don’t think this book is anything special, I will be continuing the series.

In the comments, let me know if the books get better as the series goes on. Don’t forget to like and share this post with other readers. Before you go, give the blog a follow so that I know you enjoy this type of content.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Weather Girl | Book Review

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About The Book
TV meteorologist Ari Abrams and sports reporter Russell Barringer team up to reunite their divorced bosses. As their plan unfolds, unexpected chemistry develops between them, forcing Ari to confront whether Russell can truly accept all parts of her.
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/4ckeLqz

My Rating

As someone who’s been weather-obsessed since I was a teen, a romance about a TV meteorologist sounded perfect for me. However, this book wasn’t quite what I expected. The story moved slower than I anticipated, and it dealt with heavier topics than your typical romantic comedy.

The main character, Ari, is shy and had a tough childhood. She has clinical depression but tries to hide it with a super sunny and optimistic attitude, which is both sweet and heartbreaking. Watching her handle her inner struggles while keeping up her cheerful front gave her character more depth, which I really appreciated.

The romance in the book revolves around Ari, the meteorologist, and Russell, the sports reporter. It kicks off with them plotting to “Parent Trap” their bosses to fix their toxic workplace. Even though the setup was unique, it was obvious from the start that Ari and Russell liked each other. Their mutual attraction was clear, making it a bit frustrating but also relatable that they didn’t see each other’s feelings right away.

“Weather connects us. A shared experience, even when we aren’t in the same place.”

The romance between Ari and Russell was super cute. Their personal struggles made the main conflict feel very real. I liked Solomon’s writing style, but the plot and romance weren’t anything special. The story was predictable but still enjoyable—it just didn’t stick with me like some other romance novels.

What really stood out in the book was how it handled depression. Solomon did a great job showing what living with depression is like and how it’s always present. The raw, heartfelt conversations between Ari and her mom about depression were especially moving and added a lot of emotional depth to the story.

Overall, this is a nice, easy romance read. The plot might be a bit bland for some, but it’s fun and touching. There are a few spicy moments, so it’s not entirely closed-door, but nothing too intense. I’m glad I read it, though I don’t think it will stick with me long term.

Let me know in the comments what your favorite type of weather is! I’m a snow day kind of girl—there’s nothing better than cozying up with a cup of hot coffee and a good book while the snow falls. And before you leave, hit the follow button so you never miss a post!

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Happy Place | Book Review

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About The Book
Harriet and Wyn, once the perfect couple, now navigate their unspoken breakup during their annual Maine getaway with friends. They pretend everything’s fine as they share a cottage soon to be sold, concealing their lingering desire for each other. Amid cheese, wine, and coastal air, they play the role of ‘happy couple’ to spare their friends’ feelings. Can they maintain the facade for a final week among those who know them best?
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/4eHcmHV

My Rating

I dove into this book with high expectations. Despite hearing mixed reviews, I had a feeling I’d love it—and I did. This is surprising since second chance romances usually aren’t my thing, but this one hooked me completely. Honestly, I don’t know what it was about this story but I was wholeheartedly invested in it.

The story centers on Harriet and Wyn, college sweethearts who broke off their engagement six months ago. They’re forced to pretend they’re still together on a trip with their college friends. What follows is a love story that’s both romantic and heartbreaking, and it had me in tears more than once.

But the romance is just one part of this amazing book. It also explores themes of friendship and growing up. We see a close-knit group of friends who, instead of growing apart, are simply growing up. As they transition out of their twenties and start new chapters in their lives, each one faces the future while striving to maintain the strong friendships and family they have built.

“Love means constantly saying you’re sorry, and then doing better.”

The book shows that friendships don’t have to disappear but can change as life changes. Harriet always talks about her “Happy Place,” this little cottage in Maine where the book takes place. But as her character develops throughout the book, she realizes that happiness isn’t a place—it’s the people you’re with.

The characters, especially Harriet and Wyn, felt so real. Their relationship issues were portrayed authentically, and I could feel their heartache. Harriet’s complicated feelings about love, influenced by her family, made their story even more touching. Wyn’s struggles with depression were crucial to their relationship story. I loved how the author emphasized that love doesn’t have to be perfect because flawed love and people are the most precious.

Overall, this book truly resonated with me. It might not appeal to everyone, especially if you’re in your teens or early twenties, but as someone in my thirties, it really struck a chord. It helped me appreciate my own relationships more and kept me engaged until the final page. This is how you nail a second chance romance. Just a heads-up: you might need some tissues handy while you’re reading it.

If you’ve read this book, let me know what you think in the comments. Don’t forget to like and share this post, and follow the blog so you never miss an update!

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Red, White, and Blue Books // July 4th Reading

- Bunny 2 Comments

Hi Friends,
In honor of the 4th of July holiday, I wanted to share some red, white, and blue books. These might not be my all-time favorite books in these colors, but they are definitely ones worth checking out. I know this post isn’t the most original, but I love recommending books I’ve enjoyed. I hope you might find joy in them too!

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‘Summer’s Edge’ By Dana Mele
I am going to be upfront and admit that this isn’t truly a favorite of mine, but I think the concept of this book is really cool. It’s a queer young adult paranormal thriller that takes place during the summer. Although I had my issues with it, I do think that it is a pretty decent summer thriller. Also, it is compared to *I Know What You Did Last Summer*, which, if you are a horror movie fan, takes place during July 4th.
Related Post: Summer’s Edge // Book Review

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‘A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder’ By Holly Jackson
I really wanted to give out new recommendations, but when it came to a white book, the only one that stood out was *A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder*. I’m not going to rave about it too much since it is a widely popular YA mystery book, but this is such a good, fast-paced mystery with great characters and an interesting storyline.
Related Post: A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder // Book Review

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‘How Not to Fall in Love’ By Jacqueline Firkins
This is a blue book that I think is underrated. It is a young adult friends-to-lovers romance. I found it to be so cute, and it has the exchange of service plot that I adore. The plot follows Harper, who tries to teach her hopeless romantic best friend Theo how not to fall in love with every girl they go out with. I read this book really fast, so if you’re looking for a quick and cute read, you should definitely give this book a chance.
Related Post: How Not to Fall in Love // Book Review

There you have three recommendations for books to read this 4th of July. These books might not take place during the summer holiday, but they are still good reads nonetheless. Before you leave, hit the follow button so that you get notified whenever there’s a new post.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

The Love Hypothesis | Book Review

- Bunny 1 Comment

About The Book
Reluctant Ph.D. candidate Olive Smith fakes a relationship with notorious professor Adam Carlsen to appease her best friend. When Adam supports her at a chaotic science conference, unexpected attraction sparks between them. Olive navigates real feelings while balancing love and her academic dreams.
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/3Wf0fe9

My Rating

I felt unsure about this book before picking it up. All I knew was that it had a lot of hype and centered around a STEM-based romance. Although I love reading adult romance, I hadn’t read one with a STEM focus before. But after the first ten chapters, I really got into it. So if you’re finding the beginning slow, try giving it at least until the halfway point.

The story follows Olive, a Ph.D. candidate who starts a fake-dating relationship with Adam Carlsen, a well-known young professor. It combines the fake-dating trope with a grumpy-sunshine dynamic. While everything kicks off a bit quickly—Olive practically jumps on Adam in the first chapter—I appreciated how the story eventually slowed down.

Olive’s character was likable, and I could understand why she struggled to let people in. That said, I’m not usually a fan of characters who miss what’s right in front of them. Adam, though, was an amazing love interest—and maybe I just have a thing for no-nonsense male characters. Their chemistry felt strong, with just the right amount of witty banter.

“That’s the thing with science. We’re drilled to believe that false positives are bad, but false negatives are just as terrifying.”

As for spiciness, I wouldn’t call it overly steamy, but it’s not a closed-door romance either. I’d give it a spicy rating of 2.5 out of 5. The one intimate scene the author included works well for readers who prefer a mostly clean romance with a hint of spice. In my opinion, it won’t make you blush, but it does offer a descriptive moment.

One of my favorite parts of the book focuses on how women in STEM get treated. The author highlights their struggles to be taken seriously in a male-dominated field, which sadly reflects reality. This added depth to the story and underscored the importance of having more women in STEM.

Overall, the writing style shines, and the plot keeps you engaged. If you don’t mind the third-act miscommunication trope when it’s executed well, you’ll enjoy this book. It serves as a fun read and a great palate cleanser between heavier books. I look forward to reading more from this author and believe this book absolutely lives up to the hype.

In the comments, let me know if you’ve read this book or any others by the author. Don’t forget to like and share this post with fellow book lovers. And if you enjoy book reviews, hit the follow button so you never miss a post!

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

If you want your reading experience to be more unique and personalized, the Custom Keychains of “The Love Hypothesis” will keep the love going.

July 2024 // To Be Read

- Bunny Leave a comment

Hi Friends,
I’m excited to share my July TBR post! This month, I’ll be playing my roll-the-dice game again. For a detailed breakdown of the rules, please read my June TBR post. The new rule I added is that if I don’t complete my main TBR from the previous month, I have to add an extra roll. Also, if I get any doubles, I add one extra roll. Normally, I start with 5 rolls, but a double means I’ll do 6 rolls. Since I didn’t complete my June TBR, I started with 6 rolls and got doubles, so I have seven books on this TBR.

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Last year for Christmas, my husband did a 24-day bookish advent calendar for me. Unfortunately, I haven’t read many of those books. For this prompt, I’ll read ‘Vespertine’ by Margaret Rogerson, a young adult fantasy book.

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I typically don’t read books before I buy them, but I’ve been trying to get better at that, especially with YA books and authors whose works I don’t always love. For this prompt, I’m picking ‘Heiress Takes All’ by Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka. The story takes place during a wedding and claims to have an “Oceans 11” vibe.

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For this prompt, I had many books to choose from, but with my husband’s help, I decided on ‘The Wisteria Society Of Lady Scoundrels’ by India Holton. This is a fun historical romance with pirates, making it a good summer read.

Buy The Book

I’m very happy I got this prompt because I’ve been wanting to read ‘The House Across The Lake’ by Riley Sager for a while. I think it will be a great thriller read for this time of year, and there is clearly water on the cover.

Buy The Book

I’m going to try and read the third book in the Lovelight Farm series by B.K. Borison called ‘Mixed Signals.’ This series consists of interconnected standalone romances. The fourth and final book in the series is set to release sometime this fall.

Buy The Book

I’m shocked by how many books I have on my shelves by authors I’ve never read before. Keeping with the summer and mystery trend, I’m choosing ‘The Summer She Went Missing’ by Chelsea Ichaso. This is a YA mystery, so I’m a bit worried I might not love it, but I’m going to approach it with an open mind.

Buy The Book

I have many BOTM books that I’ve bought secondhand. Soon, I’ll have Riley Sager’s newest book to add to my collection, but first, I want to get through some of his backlist titles, most of which I have as BOTM editions. For this prompt, I’m going with ‘The Last Time I Lied’ by Riley Sager, another perfect summer thriller set at a camp.

In the comments, let me know if you enjoy TBR games and what books you plan on reading in July. I plan on listening to the audiobook for most of these books via Everand (click here). Don’t forget to follow the blog to stay updated with all my posts.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny