Review: Ashes of You (Catherine Cowles)

Ashes of You
Series: Lost & Found, #5
Author: Catherine Cowles

Publication Date: February 8, 2024
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Romantic Suspense

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ 

Synopsis:

Five years ago, I nearly lost everything. But there was a glimmer of hope on that darkest night. There was him—a stranger I could never forget.

Now, I’m finally getting the fresh start I’ve longed for. But when I show up to interview for a nanny position in the small mountain town, the single dad has startlingly familiar blue eyes.

Eyes that have haunted my dreams for the past five years.

Lawson Hartley is everything I know I can’t have. Older, handsome, and my boss. Not to mention the shadows in his eyes that tell me he has demons, too.

Still, he seems to understand me better than anyone I’ve ever met. So gentle and careful of my scars, yet somehow making me believe I’m stronger than I ever thought possible.

And when his lips touch mine, I’m lost.

We find what we’ve been missing in each other. But the terrors of my past aren’t done with me yet, and this time, Lawson might not be able to save me…


If you are a fan of Catherine Cowles’s previous romantic suspense novels, you will enjoy Ashes of You. It is very similar to her other books and was exactly what I have come to expect from Cowles. It had:

  • a woman recovering from a traumatic experience/situation
  • moving to a small town to heal in the beauty of the mountains and nature
  • she falls for a man who is one of many siblings of a big, supportive family
  • he falls just as hard for her, gives her a cringy pet name, and will do anything to protect her
  • her past comes back to haunt, chase, and capture her
  • hero saves the day
  • an HEA.

Despite feeling pretty much like every other Cowles book I have read, I enjoyed it. Hallie was a sweetheart and her falling for Lawson and his three boys was sweet. The dynamics between them all were a lot of fun. It was nice getting to know Lawson better and find out more about his single father status. The entire Hartley clan showed up for support and it was great to see them again. The serial killer part of the book wasn’t surprising, but did add a fun, low level of suspense. Ashes of You was an entertaining read. 

Review: If You Hate Me (Helena Hunting)

If You Hate Me
Author: Helena Hunting

Publication Date: March 7, 2024
Publisher: Ink & Cupcakes, Inc.
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Sports Romance
Note: This review is for an ARC and is my unbiased opinion.

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ½

Synopsis:

A brand new standalone hate-to-love, brother’s best friend hockey romance.

My new roommates are two pro hockey players.
First, my manwhore older brother, and second, his seriously hot best friend (who I seriously hate).
This was a last resort.
No one should be sleeping on a futon that smells like Cheetos and ball sweat.
But here I am, trying to get my life together.

Tristan Stiles is the bane of my existence.
He never wears a shirt.
We can’t seem to stop fighting.
He’s an arrogant playboy with a filthy reputation.
Sure, I had a crush on him when I was fourteen, but that was a long time ago.
I know better than to trust him.

I just need to survive long enough to find a new job and get a new place.
And not accidentally let Tristan rail me into next week.


If you have been missing Helena Hunting’s Pucked series, you won’t want to miss reading If You Hate Me. Hunting is giving us a whole new hockey world filled with amazing characters starting with Rix and Tristan. I didn’t want to put this book down! What was so great about it? Pretty much everything.

  • Hunting brought the fun, the humor, the swoon, and the spice to ensure this romance was a very entertaining read. I even teared up a couple of times.
  • The tropes in this book were perfection.
  • The roommate situation was a great way to put Tristan and Rix in close proximity. The fact that her brother, Flip, was there making things secretive was a lot of fun.
  • Tristan’s annoyance with his best friend/teammate’s younger sister and Rix’s anger and frustration with Tristan created tension and chemistry that were palpable. The enemies to lovers trope was strong with these two.
  • Rix was easy to love. Life hadn’t been the easiest growing up for her and I thought Hunting did a fabulous job portraying the results of years of food insecurity. I always wanted the best for Rix because of how caring she was towards her friends and family.
  • Tristan was a wee bit harder to love at times, but I did end up loving his character. His womanizing past was his past and was easy to dismiss. His present on the other hand was a mess. Tristan had his own leftover childhood trauma to deal with, and he didn’t do a good job at it for a lot of this book. I did love seeing his growth, though.
  • I loved Rix and Tristan together when things were going well. Rix and Tristan’s situationship was filled with a lot of ups and a couple of downs. Their agreement to keep things casual and on a timeline went about as well as it always does in romance novels. The feelings got pretty messy. I enjoyed their romantic journey and how they both worked through the issues that came between them.
  • I’m already waiting for the side characters to get their own books. Flip was a lovable idiot who I can’t wait for to fall in love. Hollis and Roman were teammates who shined. Rix’s entire girl gang made me happy, and I want them all to find love as well. I’m super excited that Hollis’s book is next!

I only had a few of things that were a little iffy for me in this book.

  • The situationship was ultra-spicy. It’s hotter than the Pucked series. I didn’t mind that for the most part. There were a couple of situations that pushed my boundaries and made me cringe. If you can’t stand the heat, I would not recommend this book to you.
  • I’m not saying I wanted this book to be shorter, but there was a point where I thought it was about to end and then got put through another emotional upheaval. I didn’t hate that, but it did surprise me a bit.
  • Rix’s name. Or maybe I should say nicknames? Her real name is Beatrix, but she goes by Rix. Tristan calls her Bea or Beat most of the time, while everyone else calls her Rix. She felt more like a Bea to me, but that might have been Tristan’s influence. When I was writing this review, I kept wanting to write Bea instead of Rix.

Overall, If You Hate Me was a highly entertaining romance. I loved Rix and Tristan. I wish the next book in the series was already out because I can’t wait to read it!

Review: Some Kind of Perfect with Bonus Material (Krista & Becca Ritchie)

Some Kind of Perfect
Series:
 Calloway Sisters, #4.5; Addicted, #3.5
Authors: Krista & Becca Ritchie
Publication Date: March 5, 2024 (Original: May 20, 2016)
Publisher: Berkley
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary Romance
Note: This review is for an ARC and is my unbiased opinion.

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Synopsis:

The TikTok sensation Addicted Series concludes with Some Kind of Perfect, now in a print edition with special bonus material!

Falling in love was just the beginning.

Lily and Lo are childhood best friends and soul mates.

Ryke and Daisy are wild risk-takers and flirty adventurers.

Connor and Rose are genius rivals and intellectual teammates.

After ten years of laughter. Of heartache. And love. They’re all back one final time.


Some Kind of Perfect was the perfect epilogue to the entire Addicted/Calloway Sisters series. It gave the reader a look at every couple from the entire series and what their lives were like the ten years after Long Way Down ends. (The authors filled in some gaps from the glimpse Ryke gave us at the end of that book.) It was fun to see the evolution and maturation of all of my favorite characters.

My favorite thing about Some Kind of Perfect was that it was a happier, less angsty book than the rest of the series. This story felt like a happily ever after, and I loved that. Don’t get me wrong, there were still many different and sometimes tough situations for the characters to go through. They just didn’t put me on edge as much. Some Kind of Perfect was an amazing finish to this wonderful series.

As for the additional bonus content in this book… There is a playlist. I don’t really have any comments on that because I didn’t know most of the songs. There were also a few fun bonus scenes in the future. One was Moffy’s first day of high school from Lily’s POV. I could relate to how tense it made Lily and her thoughts on it. It was a sweet chapter. The next bonus scene was about the Cobalts and curfews. I loved this look at Connor and Rose parenting. The final bonus chapter is the Meadows family at the lake house, and it was eventful. Ryke was still standing up for his wife and family. It was fitting to have a bonus scene for each family to end the series.

If you’re a new adult romance fan, this series is not one to miss. The writing, characters, and plots are all amazing. It’s definitely worth the time it takes to read the entire ten books. I highly suggest binge reading it. 😉 I loved it and I think you will, too!

Mini Reviews: Head Over Heels (Sorensen), The Summer You Found Me (O’Roark)

Head Over Heels
Series: Wilder Family, #2
Author: Karla Sorensen
Publication Date: January 24, 2024
Publisher: Dutch Girl Publishing, LLC
Genre: Contemporary Romance

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

My thoughts:

Head Over Heels was Karla Sorensen’s writing at its best. It starts out with a fun meet cute and then builds into a more emotional romance than I was expecting. Ivy was this prickly, rich woman who was figuring out that the life her father had maneuvered her into might not be the one she wanted and that the love he gave might not be enough. Cameron upped the ante when it comes to Wilder men. He was kind, patient, and an overall great person. His family life was in upheaval due his father living with a terminal cancer diagnosis. These two were going through so much emotionally. Meeting and falling in love only added another thing to their plates, but it was a good thing. The way they supported and loved each other felt even more special due what they were going through. I shed some tears throughout this one, but it was well worth it.

The Summer You Found Me
Series: The Summer, #3
Author: Elizabeth O’Roark
Publication Date: January 25, 2024
Publisher: Elizabeth O’Roark
Genre: Contemporary Romance

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

My thoughts:

I want to say I loved reading this book. You would think I did with that 5-star rating. The Summer You Found Me was a tough book to read. I knew it would be going in with Kate as the female MC. She’s a recovering drug addict who walked out on her marriage and has returned from rehab because her husband has served her with divorce papers. She wants him back and is willing to go to any means to make it happen, but he’s already moved on. Beck is her ex’s best friend. He sees Kate as his but hasn’t acted on it because of his friendship with Caleb. When Kate returns to town, he becomes her support system making lines, boundaries, and wants blur for both of them. Kate was the narrator the majority of the time and she has a mean streak that makes her unlikable 90% of the time. Being in her head is tough. While I didn’t always love reading her POV, I was greatly impressed by Elizabeth O’Roark’s ability to write such a character. Experiencing Kate’s growth was as tortuous as it was impressive. I don’t have as much to say about Beck. He was strong and steady, an easy character to love. Kate and Beck’s relationship was messy, but there was something tender underneath it all. The Summer I Found You was an emotionally heavy read that will stick with me for a long time.

Review: Ice Cold Player (Nikki Hall)

Ice Cold Player
Series: Beyond the Ice, #1
Author: Nikki Hall
Publication Date: February 23, 2024
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary Romance, Sports Romance
Note: This review is for an ARC provided by WordSmith Publicity and is my unbiased opinion.

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ½

Synopsis:

A deal with the devil…

Gavin
Anyone but her. Eva Adams—the entitled, picture-perfect cheer princess. Incapable of empathy, patently manipulative, and absolutely beautiful. I can’t afford her drama—I just want to play my last year of hockey without being kicked out of TU, but there she is on my first day back. Crying. In a weak moment, I make her an offer. An agreement I never thought she’d take. Except she surprises me, and now I’m faced with a dilemma. Protect my secrets…or win the girl.

Eva
Anyone but him. Gavin King—the rebellious, coffee-slinging hockey god. Arrogant, irreverent, and way hotter than he has any right to be. Despite the lady tingles, I’d be happy to spend my last year at TU without seeing his face—or his tattoos—again. It should be easy. I have cheer, I have my friends, and I have nowhere to live. To my eternal frustration, he offers me a solution…for a price. When I take the deal, I can’t help wondering what else I’ll give him before the end.

Ice Cold Player is the first book in the Beyond the Ice series of interconnected standalones featuring the hockey players of Teagan University—an enemies to lovers, he falls first, forced proximity, college hockey romance with plenty of heat.


It was surprising when Mac and Eva didn’t get a happy ending or even a relationship in Play Maker, the last book in the Wild Card series. I think I can speak for Wild Card series fans when I say we hoped they would be end game. Then Blue stole Mac’s heart in the best way and Eva had some interesting interactions with Gavin at her favorite coffee shop. After that, I couldn’t be mad about Eva and Mac not ending up together. I had a feeling Eva and Gavin’s distaste for each other was going to lead to some amazing chemistry. I was right and it led to a great start to this new spin-off series.

Eva was a confident, attention attracting cheerleader. She was in the process of rebuilding old friendships and looking for a new place to live. The last place she ever thought she would end up living was with her coffee house nemesis / hockey player Gavin. Gavin was a busy guy between hockey and keeping up with his brother. He knew letting Eva and her duck move into his hockey house was a gamble, but he couldn’t seem to stop himself from offering it. She hates him and can’t stand her privilege, but behind all that hate was a raging attraction. I loved seeing it combust. The two of them pushed and pulled against each other until they ended up together. I loved how it all happened and how they supported each other when it mattered most.

While Eva and Gavin were the center of attention in this book, others also had their time to shine. Henry the duck stole the show half the time. Then there were Gavin’s roommates. I’m highly intrigued by them, especially Cole. I’m glad he’s getting a book next. Oh, and Eva’s best friend Stephen was a lot of fun, too. I even enjoyed Gavin’s brother who could have easily been someone I disliked.

The only thing I might even complain a tiny bit about was how easily and neatly everything wrapped up for Eva and Gavin in the end. It was almost too easy for them. That being said, this is a sports romance, and I didn’t expect them to go through the ringer or anything. I liked that it a nice, light read.

It was very fun being back at TU with some favorite characters and some great new ones. I love what Nikki Hall did with Eva and Gavin’s romance. I can’t wait to read Cole’s book hopefully soonish.

Review: The Tomboy and the Captain (Ginger Scott)

The Tomboy and the Captain
Series: The Final Score, #1
Author: Ginger Scott
Publication Date: February 22, 2024
Publisher: Little Miss Write LLC
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary Romance, Sports Romance
Note: This review is for an ARC provided by WordSmith Publicity and is my unbiased opinion.

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Synopsis:

It was supposed to be my year, but then he made a bet that I couldn’t refuse…

A star senior on the Tiff U volleyball team, it’s been my goal to come back strong after an injury that nearly took me out of the game. But I’m Laney freaking Price, and I’m taking my shot to make it on the new pro women’s team, despite the lack of support from my father.

The problem? Cutter McCreary. He is the Captain of the Tiff U hockey team, all-around loveable guy, and a total player. And did I mention a complete thorn in my side since freshman year? Yeah…that guy. His charms don’t tempt me.

Until…a mix up with our housing situation forces us into a bit of a predicament. We were both promised a room. The same room.

His proposal? A bet. We split the room in half—for now. Whoever falls in love with the other first has to move out. The winner gets to stay. But when strategic glances turn into late night talks, and fake kisses start to feel real, I’m finding myself without a game plan. And winning suddenly doesn’t feel like the only thing that matters.


Ginger Scott is a chameleon when it comes to writing. While her last book felt heavy and angsty, The Tomboy and the Captain felt lighter and fun. I flew through it, reading it in one sitting.

I adored the characters. Laney was a talented college volleyball player whose confidence had taken a little bit of hit with an injury. Cutter was the hockey team’s Captain and most sought-after campus hottie. Cutter is not Laney’s favorite person and when they accidentally end up renting the same room all bets are ON. They are both determined to end up the sole inhabitant of the room. First, they have to find a way to get along while they share the room, and that’s where the fun comes.

These two don’t hate each other the way Laney wants them to. I loved how they got to know each other better and the emotional connection they made. Most of the time things were fun and flirty, but there were also some harder things they had to deal with. They way they got through those things together made my heart happy. Their romance was so sweet. 

The side characters were great. Ivy, Laney’s best friend, was driven when it came to her school and work but also highly entertaining. Ivy’s brother Matt was obnoxious but in a way that made me both laugh and shake my head. Cutter’s mom and brothers made me smile a lot. Laney and Cutter had a good group of people surrounding and supporting them.

I had such a good time reading The Tomboy and the Captain. New adult sports romance is where Ginger Scott’s writing shines the most for me and she knocked this one out of the park. If you enjoy college sports romances, you won’t want to miss this one. 

Review: The Messy Life of Jane Tanner (Brenda Novak)

The Messy Life of Jane Tanner
Series: Coyote Canyon, #3
Author: Brenda Novak

Publication Date: February 20, 2023
Publisher: MIRA
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Note: This review is for an ARC and is my unbiased opinion.

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ 

Synopsis: 

When your life is chaotic, what’s one more complication?

Jane Tanner’s friends are settling down, while she’s been settling for less. She longs for adventure and the big city, but caring for her ailing grandfather means she’s shackled to her small town. She’s excited her vintage gift shop is finally up and running, but it’s not enough.

Longing to fulfill at least one dream—to become a mother before her biological clock ticks out—Jane drunkenly propositions the worst possible candidate for Dad. Kurt Elway is off-limits with a capital O. He’s a good friend, but he’s too young, too busy running his family’s ranch. Plus, he and Jane’s sister, Kate, used to date.  That kind of off-limits.

Unbeknownst to Jane, Kurt’s pining for her. When he’s fully on board to father her baby, she sees him in a new light. Then lingering baggage between Kate and Kurt suddenly surfaces and Jane is reminded of just how messy life is. But…so is parenting. Maybe it’s time to embrace the mess?


The Messy Life of Jane Tanner was the perfect name for this book. Poor Jane Tanner’s life wasn’t what she wanted it to be, and she made it even messier. She was willing to do what it took to get what she wanted: to be a mother now, to choose who fathered her child (Kurt Elway), and to travel when the grandfather she’s caring for passes. Jane wasn’t quite ready for the consequences of her wants and actions. She didn’t think about some of the ramifications and how her choices affected others. 

I liked Jane for the most part. She was a great friend and family member. Jane was kind and caring. She was one of those people who was able to love people despite their flaws. The way she cared for and helped out her family was sweet. Jane wasn’t perfect, though. She could be envious and jealous at times and didn’t always think things through. The way she reacted to some of the stuff with Kurt bugged me, but I could understand her feelings and enjoyed watching her figure things out. 

Kurt was the highlight of this romance for me. He was smitten with Jane, and he didn’t let anything anyone said change that. He thought long and hard about the decisions he made, and I loved how he stood up for what he wanted. I also enjoyed seeing Kurt’s relationships with Brant and his other brother as well as his parents and friends. 

The romance between Jane and Kurt was full steam ahead and yet also a bit of a slow burn due to the whole baby thing and it taking a while for Jane to figure things out. Kurt fell first, obviously, so it was fun waiting for Jane to catch up. Kurt did a lot of lot of sweet and supportive things along the way. The progression of their relationship was great. 

One thing that surprised me about this book was Averil. She’s a character I’ve loved to hate. I liked that she got a little bit of a storyline in this book and that she is growing as a character. I never thought I’d say this, but I hope she gets the next book in this series. 

Overall, this was a great romance. Friends falling in love while trying to make one’s dream of being a parent happen was an entertaining plot, especially with all of the friends and family involved. 

Review: The Catch (Amy Lea)

The Catch
Series: The Influencer, #3
Author: Amy Lea

Publication Date: February 13, 2024
Publisher: Berkley
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Note: This review is for an ARC and is my unbiased opinion.

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ 

Synopsis:

A grumpy lobster fisherman tosses a fashion influencer’s impeccably curated life overboard in the next romantic comedy from international bestselling author Amy Lea.

In a last-ditch effort to rescue her brand from the brink of irrelevance, Boston fashion influencer Melanie Karlsen finds herself in a rural fishing village on the east coast of Canada. The only thing scarier than nature itself? The burly and bearded bed-and-breakfast owner and fisherman, Evan Whaler—who single-handedly disproves the theory that Canadians are “nice.”

After a boating accident lands Evan unconscious in the hospital, Mel is mistaken for his fiancée by his welcoming yet quirky family, who are embroiled in a long-standing feud over the B&B. In a bold attempt to mend family fences, Mel agrees to fake their engagement for one week in exchange for Evan’s help with her social media content.

Amid long hikes and campfire chats, reeling in their budding feelings for each other proves more difficult by the day. But is Mel willing to sacrifice her picture-perfect life in the city for a chance at a true, unfiltered love in the wild?


Amy Lea is back with her The Influencer series and this time she’s taking us on a trip to Nova Scotia. I had a great time reading this book and here’s why:

  • It was cool that this book left Boston for another location. It gave this book a fresh feel while still being connected to the first two books in the series. The new setting was so much fun! I loved the Canadian coastal town and the rundown inn. They were almost characters themselves.
  • The meet-hate was awkward in the best way. I loved the irritation that simmered with chemistry that developed between Mel and Evan.
  • The accidental fake relationship between them brought some big laughs along with the chance for a deeper connection between Mel and Evan.
  • I liked learning about Mel and Evan’s pasts and what shaped them into who they were. There was trauma to unpack and the way they shared it with each other and grew through it was special.
  • The side characters were larger than life. Lucy was great. I would love for her to get her own romance. Evan and Lucy’s family was hilarious. The feuds, the wackiness…pretty much everything about them added fun to the story. It was also nice to get a little Crystal and Tara as well.
  • The spider, the slug, and the centipede.
  • Lea did a great job mixing the big, tough emotions with uplifting, laughter filled moments.

There was only one thing that didn’t work for me as well as I wanted it to…

  • There was a big build up to the characters finally acting on their attraction, but somehow it still felt like instant love. It almost felt like it came out of nowhere when Evan was wanting Mel to stay his fiancée. It shouldn’t have, but the only thing I could think of to maybe make it work better for me was having at least a few chapters in Evan’s POV.

Other than that one thing, I loved this book. It was a lot of fun to read. I’m looking forward to reading whatever Lea wants to write next.

Review: My Anti-Hero (Tijan)

My Anti-Hero
Author: Tijan
Narrators: Andi Arndt, Teddy Hamilton
Publication Date:
February 8, 2024
Publisher: Dreamscape Media
Genre: Contemporary Romance, New Adult, Sports Romance
Note: This review is for an ARC and is my unbiased opinion.

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★

Synopsis:

I shouldn’t have agreed to this. What was I thinking?
Appearing on a local news show? Just because something happened to me?
I live mostly in isolation on purpose.
But here I am.
I was so nervous that I needed the make-up chair, twice.
And then I walked past his room.
He’s a giant—no softness, all muscle.
And a rich beard that made me want to rub myself all over it.
He made me see stars, literally, because the second time I saw him, I tripped.
Or I would’ve, but he caught me, and the cameras were rolling.
Soon, that clip will be trending because he wasn’t just another guest on the show.
He’s Brett Broudou, the Kings’ newest football star.
We couldn’t be more opposite.
The only special thing about me is the reason I was on the show.
Brett, the Super Bowl champion, and me, the survivor who helped bring down the infamous Midwest Butcher.
Brett might not think he’s anyone’s hero, but he’s about to become mine.


If you’re a Fallen Crest High fan, I know you were as excited as I was to hear Brett Broudou was getting his own book. I’ve been wondering what happened to that dude since the FCH series ended. Now, I know. A lot has happened.

Brett has left his rough past mostly behind. He plays professional football with Stone Reeves from Enemies and against Mason Kade. And, finally, he’s been given his chance at love with Billie, the one woman who escaped a serial killer as a child, who avoids both the media and other serial killers who may want to take her down. Billie is pretty much a hermit with a close circle of her friends and family until she has an adorable meet cute with Brett on live TV. Brett’s celebrity status should scare her off, but she can’t stay away from the guy and her lusty feelings for him.

Brett and Billie’s romance was a wild ride filled up hills, valley, twists, and turns. It was classic Tijan with the slightly rambling writing and narration that has become like home to her readers, but it was also much more. It was probably one of the darkest Tijan books I’ve read. The serial killer plot was grittier, more suspenseful, and intense like her mafia books. The romance was just as addictive but lustier than most of her others, which is saying a lot. Brett and Billie were endearing, but also might just be Tijan’s horniest couple yet. I loved their connection and devotion to each other.

The side characters were also great. I loved Billie’s family and friends. They added some important moments in Brett and Billie’s story. I also enjoyed getting to know more about Brett’s family and where they were now. Plus, there were some cameos FCH and Enemies fans will love as much as I did.

I do have to admit there were a couple of things that weren’t my favorite that popped up in this book. Tijan has a habit of her heroine’s feeling a migraine coming on at least once in every book it feels like. Usually it happens multiple times, but luckily it was only once here. I wouldn’t mind her moving on from that trend. Same with all the aching references. But maybe I would miss those if they weren’t there. I don’t know. I wasn’t a fan of Brett calling Billie “Little Billie” as a nickname in passionate moments. It might not have bothered me if I had read it over hearing it said. It just sounded weird and not very romantic. It gave me the “ew” factor. I could easily look past these things, though. They didn’t hinder my enjoyment much. Oh! One last little thing… I would have loved even more Brett chapters.

Overall, I had a great time being in Brett Broudou’s world. I enjoyed his and Billie’s love story and all of the drama that went along with it. I can’t wait to find out what’s next from Tijan because I’m already missing her characters.

Review: The Reason I Married Him (Meghan Quinn)

The Reason I Married Him
Author: Meghan Quinn

Publication Date: February 6, 2024
Publisher: Meghan Quinn
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Romantic Comedy
Note: This review is for an ARC and is my unbiased opinion.

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ½

Synopsis: 

He proposed . . . and I said yes.
Normally a jovial occasion for a couple in love, but this proposal has a very different feel.
Because the man that I’ll be calling my husband blew into town with one thing on his mind . . . to make my life a living nightmare.

So why did I say yes?

Well, because we both need something from each other.

Namely, I want the farmland he currently owns, and he needs a wife in order to inherit his family cabin in his grandfather’s will.

So as he so eloquently put it, my hand, for his land.

At first, I thought the idea was nuts.
Who really gets married out of convenience?
Apparently, I do.

And now we have to sell our relationship to the town. Meaning, we’re holding hands, he’s pinching my cheeks . . . upper and lower. We’re even forced to share the one-bedroom guest house on the farm where his monstrous body is taking up a large percentage of the bed.

But we’re so persuasive about our farse, that now I’m starting to think he actually might like me. Especially when he grabs me by the wrist and teases the shell of my ear as he whispers, “Mine.”


The Reason I Married Him was yet another delightful romantic comedy by Meghan Quinn. It was witty, fun, sassy, and even emotionally heavy at times (make sure to check content warnings for this book). The fake dating/marriage of convenience had so many hilarious moments. The slow burn of Wyatt and Aubree falling in love by faking it was sweet, emotional, and then oh-so-steamy.

Wyatt is the man with a plan. He’s a ray of sunshine, this guy. His tactics aren’t fair. He’s sweet and funny. He crafts crazy, fun stories just like our girl Meghan Quinn. He’s amazing. I adored how he wooed grumpy Aubree who didn’t see him, his smooth moves, or his mission coming. There were a few times that Wyatt’s POV made me uncomfortable with his denial of his feelings and his thoughts of how helpful he was being to Aubree, but his thoughts made sense with the storyline.

Aubree is, well, grumpy. Life started out rough for her with parental emotional abuse and hasn’t given her many breaks. Aubree’s finally doing what she loves, even if she’s not sure she’s doing it well, and she doesn’t need a stupidly smart and witty author showing up to give her ideas – for the farm or about love. I wanted to hug her so badly. She was such a good person who deserved the best but was hiding after all the trauma she dealt with.

Wyatt + Aubree = a hilariously awkward time. Everything was supposed to be fake between them, but from the minute they start interacting the banter and chemistry prove that’s going to be impossible. They were perfect for each other. I loved the balance between their personalities and what they each brought to a life with each other. The closer they got, the more I loved them together. Their problems towards the end were cleared up a little faster than I would have liked, but I was also happy Aubree didn’t have to sit in that particular sadness too long.

While Wyatt and Aubree were the stars of this book, it wouldn’t have been a Meghan Quinn romance without a ton of amazing side characters. Almond Bay’s kookiest residents were back and there were some surprise cameos I loved. The best side character moments were with Aubree’s family, though. There were so many special ones that had me laughing or smiling.

Like I said before, this was a delightful romantic comedy from Quinn. I enjoyed reading it and fans of this author are going to love it.