I jumped on American Sweethearts the day it was released. I was a big fan of the previous three books in Adriana Herrera’s Dreamers series, and I knewI jumped on American Sweethearts the day it was released. I was a big fan of the previous three books in Adriana Herrera’s Dreamers series, and I knew reading this one would be like reconnecting with old friends. Juan Pablo and Priscilla have dated on and off for years but can’t make it work long-term. When they’re forced together for mutual friend Milo’s idyllic island wedding, sparks fly once again, but they still don’t quite know how to relate to each other. Juan Pablo has been working on himself for a while and has made a lot of changes for the better, but Priscilla has some issues to work through before she can be ready to entertain the thought of a real relationship.
While I don’t think this book quite measured up to the others in the series, I liked Priscilla’s journey as a character. Her side hustle teaching sex-positive workshops and selling sex toys was a super interesting addition, and her fear of going for what she really wanted career-wise was personally relatable to me. I think the main reason I wasn’t as invested in the romance was there wasn’t one big, juicy reason why JuanPa and Priscilla hadn’t worked out before. For a second chance romance to really hook me, I need a big betrayal or seemingly insurmountable external obstacle. An amorphous “we just never seem to work out” vibe doesn’t quite do it for me. Still, I heartily recommend the entire Dreamers series, and I enjoyed checking in with all my favorite characters from previous books.
Merged review:
I jumped on American Sweethearts the day it was released. I was a big fan of the previous three books in Adriana Herrera’s Dreamers series, and I knew reading this one would be like reconnecting with old friends. Juan Pablo and Priscilla have dated on and off for years but can’t make it work long-term. When they’re forced together for mutual friend Milo’s idyllic island wedding, sparks fly once again, but they still don’t quite know how to relate to each other. Juan Pablo has been working on himself for a while and has made a lot of changes for the better, but Priscilla has some issues to work through before she can be ready to entertain the thought of a real relationship.
While I don’t think this book quite measured up to the others in the series, I liked Priscilla’s journey as a character. Her side hustle teaching sex-positive workshops and selling sex toys was a super interesting addition, and her fear of going for what she really wanted career-wise was personally relatable to me. I think the main reason I wasn’t as invested in the romance was there wasn’t one big, juicy reason why JuanPa and Priscilla hadn’t worked out before. For a second chance romance to really hook me, I need a big betrayal or seemingly insurmountable external obstacle. An amorphous “we just never seem to work out” vibe doesn’t quite do it for me. Still, I heartily recommend the entire Dreamers series, and I enjoyed checking in with all my favorite characters from previous books....more
If you want to read a romance about grown-ass people, I have just the thing. House Rules was a five-star read for me. Simon and Lana got divorced 15 yIf you want to read a romance about grown-ass people, I have just the thing. House Rules was a five-star read for me. Simon and Lana got divorced 15 years ago and haven’t stayed in touch, but NYC rent is so pricey they decide to move in together to save money. They set ground rules to keep everything proper, but the feelings from before might not be totally gone. I loved how grounded in real life this book is—Lana has endometriosis, and the way Simon takes care of her is so sweet and tentative. They’ve been apart a long time and Lana is definitely capable of taking care of herself, but it was so nice that she didn’t have to for once. I also loved how Lang emphasized that even though they have positive memories of each other, they are falling in love like new, as the people they are now, and not just lapsing into past habits. Anyway, I loved this, and would love to read more books about people in their 30s and 40s falling in love.
Merged review:
If you want to read a romance about grown-ass people, I have just the thing. House Rules was a five-star read for me. Simon and Lana got divorced 15 years ago and haven’t stayed in touch, but NYC rent is so pricey they decide to move in together to save money. They set ground rules to keep everything proper, but the feelings from before might not be totally gone. I loved how grounded in real life this book is—Lana has endometriosis, and the way Simon takes care of her is so sweet and tentative. They’ve been apart a long time and Lana is definitely capable of taking care of herself, but it was so nice that she didn’t have to for once. I also loved how Lang emphasized that even though they have positive memories of each other, they are falling in love like new, as the people they are now, and not just lapsing into past habits. Anyway, I loved this, and would love to read more books about people in their 30s and 40s falling in love....more
A romance between a professor and a children’s librarian makes my little nerd heart sing. Victoria wants to launch a program at her university to placA romance between a professor and a children’s librarian makes my little nerd heart sing. Victoria wants to launch a program at her university to place students in internships at the local public library. It’s hard to stay professional, though, when it turns out the librarian she’s going to work with on the project is John, a superhottie with a man bun who’s conveniently single. I had a few issues with this one, admittedly. John comes on really strong in their first meeting, which felt weird to me since it was a work meeting, not karaoke night at a bar. I had a hard time believing any woman, especially one as uptight as Victoria, would be receptive to come-ons in that environment. Also, even after they started a relationship, they didn’t use each other’s first names, which felt stilted and odd. Once you’ve had your tongue in someone’s mouth, I feel like you shouldn’t have to call them Mister. Oh well. Despite those quibbles, I still really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more of Charish Reid’s work.
Merged review:
A romance between a professor and a children’s librarian makes my little nerd heart sing. Victoria wants to launch a program at her university to place students in internships at the local public library. It’s hard to stay professional, though, when it turns out the librarian she’s going to work with on the project is John, a superhottie with a man bun who’s conveniently single. I had a few issues with this one, admittedly. John comes on really strong in their first meeting, which felt weird to me since it was a work meeting, not karaoke night at a bar. I had a hard time believing any woman, especially one as uptight as Victoria, would be receptive to come-ons in that environment. Also, even after they started a relationship, they didn’t use each other’s first names, which felt stilted and odd. Once you’ve had your tongue in someone’s mouth, I feel like you shouldn’t have to call them Mister. Oh well. Despite those quibbles, I still really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more of Charish Reid’s work....more
The delightful story of Josh, founder of a tech company, who enlists Sarah, a bakery owner, to cater a Pi Day party for his employees. The guest of hoThe delightful story of Josh, founder of a tech company, who enlists Sarah, a bakery owner, to cater a Pi Day party for his employees. The guest of honor will be Josh’s father, who he’s had a strained relationship with since a high school mistake caused a rift between them. His dad is a math teacher, and Josh knows if there’s one way to break the ice and heal their relationship, it’s corny math jokes. Josh and Sarah have so much fun planning the menu for the party and tasting all the delicious sweet and savory options, it’s obvious they’re going to end up spending time together romantically. I love Jackie Lau for how real she keeps it--her characters are real people with real problems, but the stories themselves have a light and fun feel. Also, it was super fun to read a romance set in Toronto--it’s definitely on my list of places to visit once travel is safe again!
Merged review:
The delightful story of Josh, founder of a tech company, who enlists Sarah, a bakery owner, to cater a Pi Day party for his employees. The guest of honor will be Josh’s father, who he’s had a strained relationship with since a high school mistake caused a rift between them. His dad is a math teacher, and Josh knows if there’s one way to break the ice and heal their relationship, it’s corny math jokes. Josh and Sarah have so much fun planning the menu for the party and tasting all the delicious sweet and savory options, it’s obvious they’re going to end up spending time together romantically. I love Jackie Lau for how real she keeps it--her characters are real people with real problems, but the stories themselves have a light and fun feel. Also, it was super fun to read a romance set in Toronto--it’s definitely on my list of places to visit once travel is safe again!...more
I absolutely love this series by Ruby Lang. Her novellas are pitch perfect, so satisfying yet in such a compact package. House Rules is still my favorI absolutely love this series by Ruby Lang. Her novellas are pitch perfect, so satisfying yet in such a compact package. House Rules is still my favorite of the three, but Open House absolutely charmed my socks off. Ty helps run an illegal community garden on a vacant lot in Harlem, and Magda is the real estate agent charged with selling the lot. Not a lot of room there for sparks to fly, but somehow Lang makes the magic happen (and it’s magic indeed (rooftop sex!)).
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I absolutely love this series by Ruby Lang. Her novellas are pitch perfect, so satisfying yet in such a compact package. House Rules is still my favorite of the three, but Open House absolutely charmed my socks off. Ty helps run an illegal community garden on a vacant lot in Harlem, and Magda is the real estate agent charged with selling the lot. Not a lot of room there for sparks to fly, but somehow Lang makes the magic happen (and it’s magic indeed (rooftop sex!))....more
You know what's great stress relief? Reading about two hot hockey players falling in love as they compete for the starting goalie spot on an NHL team.You know what's great stress relief? Reading about two hot hockey players falling in love as they compete for the starting goalie spot on an NHL team. This audio book helped me finish a four-mile walk because I was hooked on the story. Ryu has played for the same team for several years and expects the starting spot to be his this season, but when Emmitt is traded to his team from the minors he finds out he has some serious competition. He also has a serious attraction to the mouthy rookie, which is a problem because he obviously can’t stand the guy. I really enjoyed this book and I don’t know anything about hockey--there’s a low bar for entry here. Ryu and Emmitt’s passion for the game will resonate whether you’re into sportsball or not. I loved how the rivalry fed the romance, and how Ryu and Emmitt’s vastly different personalities complemented each other on the ice and in the bedroom. And finally, if you’re into audio books, narrator Kirt Graves delivers an excellent performance.
Merged review:
You know what's great stress relief? Reading about two hot hockey players falling in love as they compete for the starting goalie spot on an NHL team. This audio book helped me finish a four-mile walk because I was hooked on the story. Ryu has played for the same team for several years and expects the starting spot to be his this season, but when Emmitt is traded to his team from the minors he finds out he has some serious competition. He also has a serious attraction to the mouthy rookie, which is a problem because he obviously can’t stand the guy. I really enjoyed this book and I don’t know anything about hockey--there’s a low bar for entry here. Ryu and Emmitt’s passion for the game will resonate whether you’re into sportsball or not. I loved how the rivalry fed the romance, and how Ryu and Emmitt’s vastly different personalities complemented each other on the ice and in the bedroom. And finally, if you’re into audio books, narrator Kirt Graves delivers an excellent performance....more
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